Winter Proofing Your Home

1/19/2016 (Permalink)

Here are some easy ways to keep out the cold out and the heat in this winter!

1. Caulk
Caulk is an excellent and inexpensive way to seal air leaks around your home. It can be used around windows and door jambs to keep the cold out!

2. Install a programmable thermostat
This is a simple way to ensure that your furnace will not be working to heat your home when you don’t need it. It also covers for you in case you leave the house or go to bed and forget to turn down the thermostat.

3. Have your furnace inspected
Keeping your furnace in top working order is important for energy saving.

4. Insulate
Insulating your attic keeps heat from escaping through the roof.

5. Install storm windows
Interior storm windows are an inexpensive way to keep heat from escaping, and they can be taken down when winter is over.

6. Insulate your pipes
One of the concerns with turning the thermostat down is freezing pipes. Pipe insulation, though, is a relatively easy way to ensure against this occurring. Pipe sleeves or tubes made of foam can be purchased at most hardware stores, and are cut so that they fit right over the pipes.

7. Apply weather stripping to doors and windows
Weather stripping is inexpensive and easy to apply – it should be put along the edges of windows and doors, including basement and attic windows and the garage.

8. Weather-proof the front door
You may want to replace your existing front door with a more energy-efficient one, or add a storm door to your current one. The most important thing is to be sure the edges of the door are tightly sealed and square, which may mean a new door and frame are necessary.