How to Winterize Your Home

As winter closes in and temperatures drop, it's important to do what you can to winterize your home. Check out these 6 simple tips and learn how to keep your pipes from freezing, save on electricity bills, keep pests out, and more! 

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT

This is probably one of the best investments you can make for your home. Upgrading to a smart thermostat can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your heating/cooling bills. They can learn your schedule, heat only certain rooms, increase your home’s efficiency, and be programmed to automatically adjust temperature settings. Some thermostats can even be monitored remotely, so you don’t even have to be in your home to change the temperature.

CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS

Now that all the leaves have fallen, it’s a good time to clean out your gutters for the winter. Making sure that water can flow freely will help prevent icicles and ice dams from forming when temperatures drop below freezing.

CHECK THE EXTERIOR

Do a basic walk-around the exterior of your property and see if there are any cracks, holes, or other signs of destruction. Check on siding, windows, decks, fences, screens, trim, gutters, and other exterior areas that may be susceptible to outside elements. You never know if weather, wind, or wildlife have caused any damage to your property. If you do find anything, plan on making repairs to prevent any further decay.

SEAL WINDOW/DOOR GAPS

Gaps in your windows and doors can cause unwanted heat loss. Self-stick rubber sealing, clear shrink-wrap window film, draft snakes, chimney balloon, thick/insulated curtains, and good old-fashioned caulk are inexpensive and easy DIY options to keep the heat in and cold air out.

KEEP PESTS OUT

You definitely want to prevent unwanted pests such as rodents, bugs, and creepy crawlies from taking up residence in your warm home. Make sure you: seal and store all food and water, remove trash and recycling, seal openings or holes in the walls, clean your kitchen, and keep attics/crawl spaces well-ventilated and clutter-free.

PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

Water pipes can freeze and burst when the temperatures drop, so it’s best to take action now and prevent it from happening all together. You should keep your thermostat set above 60°F, insulate your pipes, detach garden hoses from outdoor faucets, and leave cabinet doors open to allow heat to circulate. Even letting cold water drip from a faucet – even just a trickle – can help prevent pipes from freezing.