The winter season is just around the corner and if you haven't already done so now is the time to start preparing your home for the winter elements. Winterizing your home will not only make your home more cost efficient and save you money, but you'll also be more comfortable in January and February when snow and wind are outside your front door!
The key to making your home ready for the winter is to find all the areas where heat may escape to the outside environment. Here's a quick list of things to do:
Insulation
Insulate your attic and basement. Warm air rises so your attic should be your first priority in terms of insulation. If you're attic is unfinished then insulating it should be no problem; run to your local home center and pick up some Batt-type insulation which comes in large roles and is installed in between 2x4 studs/rafters (look for material with a high R-Value). Depending on the size of your attic you can most likely take a Saturday and complete the job.
Caulk
Caulk around doors, windows, and exterior cracks. Caulk is cheap and the savings can be decent if you have older type double hung windows, for example. Here's a nice how to caulk video and look for caulk than can withstand low temperatures.
Heating System
Your heating system should be checked every year prior to turning it on for the season. If you have filters and ducts they should be cleaned or replaced every year. If you're running a steam or gas powered boiler with radiators, then be sure to bleed your water based radiators and vacuum the inside of your boiler/furnace (especially the aluminum parts that light when the unit is in use). A programmable thermostat is also a good idea!
Insulating your boiler/furnace's pipes can also provide savings. There are plenty of pipe insulating materials on the market and installing the material is very straightforward. While you're at it, you should also purchase an insulated "blanket" for your hot water tank (your tank is insulated but extra insulation will keep the water in the tank warmer and require the unit to work less to bring up the temperature); also, if you have plenty of hot water dial down the tank temperate to120 degrees.
Not related to saving energy, I also liked to prepare the yard and exterior portion of the house for the winter, as well:
- Seal the deck with a high-quality stain and wood preserver. You don't need to power wash your deck every year, but you should scrub it down with some outdoor safe bleach and let it dry for 2-3 days.
- If you have decorative concrete pavers then sealing the walkway is a good idea and will extend the life of the material.
- Make any repair to an asphalt based driveway - patching up holes and cracks is critical because water will get underneath the material and tend to lift your driveway (during freezing / thawing periods).
- Install glass on your screen doors.
- Bring in any plants for the season that will not survive the winter months outdoors as well as any deck/lawn furniture.
- Place snow shovels and ice melters in an easily accessible spot so that when the first snow hits you'll have your equipment ready Unless you have a huge property, a snow blower is a royal waste of money, plus you're missing out on the exercise regardless of your age (not to mention the extra maintenance on a gas powered unit).
Note: The views expressed herein are solely my own and should not be attributed to my employer in any way. This site is not maintained utilizing my employer's resources or on company time.
Great tips Vincent I have already started the process for my lawn and furnace. I didn't think of checking the chalking around the windows and doors though. Looks like I've got some more work to do this weekend :)
On the driveway note, I recommend that you get it sealed before the temperature gets too cold. After you fix the cracks of course.
Steve
Thanks, Steve! I forgot the sealing part, good advice!