Brr… Feel that? That’s old man winter headed this way and that means it is time to winterize your home. I won’t kid you, it is work and it can take up a weekend’s worth of time but the benefits are worth the time.
The cost to heat your average home are around $1,400. If you properly winterize your home you can save nearly half that. How often do you get paid $700 for a weekend’s worth of work? If you winterize your home, that is exactly what will happen.
The first place to look at when winterizing your home is the outside of the house. Check all the windows and doors. Make sure that the caulk around them is still solid and there are no holes or cracks. If there are, re-caulk.
If your windows leak badly, it may be time to get new ones. New windows are a huge investment so balance the energy savings, comfort and better appearance against the cost.
Check the ducts and pipes in your home. Ducts may have leaks that let hot air escape or may be clogged and unable to deliver heat efficiently. Pipes may not be properly caulked when they intersect a floor or ceiling. Fix ducts with new ducting and properly caulk your pipes.
Wiring can be another trouble spot. Outlets may not be properly insulated and wires that intersect walls, ceilings and floors may not be properly sealed. Use foam outlet gaskets (available at your local hardware store) to seal outlets.
Make sure your damper closes correctly on your chimney. Keep the damper closed when you are not burning a fire. If you plan on using your fire place this winter, hire a chimney sweep to come clean your chimney. A deserted bird’s nest or a build up of soot can catch on fire.
Replace your heater’s filter and remember to replace it at least once a month.
Install a setback or timer thermostat. This is a thermostat that can be programmed to reduce the heat when you are not at home or are asleep and to increase the heat when you need it.
Put a water heater blanket on your water heater. This will help keep the heat in the water.
Many electric and gas companies have a free home inspection program where they will come and inspect your house to let you know where you can make changes to save energy. Call your local electric and gas company to see if they offer this kind of program.
Yes, it is a lot to do but it’s worth it. Taking the time to winterize your home will make sure that you and your family will be warm, cozy and a bit richer this winter.