How to Winterize Your Home to Keep the Heat In and the Cold Out

At the first hint of a chill in the air, many homeowners in cold-weather regions start thinking about the inevitable arrival of expensive winter heating bills. As the temperatures drop, the cost of keeping your home warm and cozy can quickly climb - leaving you with a budget-busting expense.

But before you get snowed in by sky-high bills, there are a few simple steps you can take to prepare your home for an energy-efficient (and more affordable) winter season. From tackling some basic maintenance tasks to making smart upgrades to your space, learning how to winterize your home can make a significant difference for both your budget and your comfort.

Continue reading for a list of the best ways to winterize your home, including the easy tips that every homeowner should know now.

Winter might not officially start until mid-December, but for those of us living in the colder regions of the U.S., the chilly weather is already upon us. That means that it’s time to pull out our warmest coats, turn on the heater, and get the snow shovel out of storage - but what about preparing your home for the winter season?

For most people, rising energy bills are among the biggest frustrations that come with this time of year. And although you might not be able to stop the temperature from dropping, you can take steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce your seasonal heating costs.

We’re breaking down the essential steps you should take to winterize your home so that you can stay warm, cozy, and on budget.

1.   Set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise.

For many of us, ceiling fans are something we only use during warm weather. But did you know that they can also come in handy throughout the winter months?

When a ceiling fan spins clockwise, it creates an updraft that moves warm air around the room. Because warm air rises, using the fan in this way helps redistribute the air to help make you feel warmer.

2.   Clean air ducts and replace air filters.

Over time, the dust that collects in our air ducts and filters can negatively impact the efficiency of our central air and heating system. So, it’s a good idea to make it a habit to regularly change out the air filters and clean air ducts.

Ensuring that your heating system can work as effectively as possible can help lower your bill, as well as help you avoid potential problems in the future.

3.   Make sure your home is well-insulated.

Depending on when (and how) your home was built, the quality of your insulation can vary considerably. Without proper insulation, cold air can pass easily into your home - and the heated air can exit it.

Fill in the areas around any basement and attic windows and doors using high-quality insulation, as well as empty spaces in the attic floor and/or basement ceiling. This will improve heat retention throughout the home.

4.   Seal any gaps or cracks.

Even small gaps in your siding, doors, and windows allow heat to escape. Do a thorough assessment of your home to find any gaps, then fill them with caulk to create a secure seal. For an extra level of protection, you can also remove interior moldings around doors and windows, then apply caulk around those edges as well.

If you find any cracks that are allowing drafts to come through, act quickly to get them repaired. Also, consider adding weather-stripping to doors that have gaps at the bottom, or, replace the doors entirely for a better fit.

5.   Get exterior repairs taken care of as soon as possible.

If your to-do list includes repairs on the exterior of your home - such as replacing damaged siding - now is the time to knock those out. Not only can exterior issues allow unwanted drafts and heat loss, but they can also end up getting much worse due to winter storms.

Get Ready for Winter with Help from the Professionals

There are plenty of things you can do to winterize your home, even if you aren’t a particularly skilled DIY enthusiast. However, there are also several jobs that are better left to the professionals - so when you’re making smart improvements for the winter season, make sure you have a repair and remodeling team you can trust.

Final Touch Construction & Remodeling provides a wide variety of home services throughout Northeast Ohio, ranging from water damage repair to full-scale renovations for basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and more. Whether you want to replace your siding to get ready for winter storms or would like to create a more comfortable, stylish interior for hosting holiday gatherings, the skilled team from Final Touch Construction & Remodeling is ready to help.

Get more information about what to do to winterize a home when you contact Final Touch Construction & Remodeling today!