Winter’s coming up fast, and I don’t know about you, but I’m not looking forward to those crazy heating bills or waking up to freezing floors.
Every year I promise myself I’ll get ahead of winter’s sneaky cold fingers creeping into my home, and this season I’m actually doing it. I’ve put together my top ten ways to keep your house warm, cozy, and protected when temperatures drop.
These aren’t complicated tricks that need special skills or tons of money. They’re simple fixes anyone can tackle in a weekend or two.
So grab your favorite warm drink and let’s walk through how to make your home a winter-ready fortress without breaking a sweat (or your wallet).
10 Tips How To Winterproofing My Home This Season
Inspect and Seal Windows and Doors
Those tiny gaps around your windows and doors? They’re basically inviting cold air to your dinner party. I learned this the hard way after feeling that annoying draft for three winters straight before doing something about it.
First, do a quick inspection on a windy day. Hold your hand around the edges of windows and doors. Feel the air? That’s money flying out of your house.
Real estate expert Cheryl Towey at Weichert Realtors in New Jersey says that air leaks can bump up energy bills by 10-20% if left unchecked.
Fixing these leaks isn’t rocket science. You’ll need:
- Weatherstripping for moving parts (door edges, window sashes)
- Caulk for stationary cracks
- Door sweeps for underneath exterior doors
The trick with weatherstripping is making sure it’s the right size – too thick and your door won’t close, too thin and it won’t seal properly. For caulking, make sure surfaces are clean and dry before applying. Pick a day above 45°F when you’re not expecting rain for at least 24 hours.
Don’t forget less obvious spots like mail slots, doggy doors, and around pipes that enter your home. These sneaky gaps add up fast.
Clean and Service the Heating System
Your heating system’s been sleeping all summer and needs a little TLC before the big winter performance. Think of it like warming up before a workout – skip this step and you’re asking for trouble.
Start by replacing the filter – this alone can improve efficiency by 15%. If you’ve never done this before, it’s stupid easy. Filters cost between $10-$30 and take literally two minutes to swap out.
Next, check your vents and radiators. Make sure they’re not blocked by furniture or curtains. You’d be surprised how many people accidentally cover their heat sources then wonder why rooms stay cold.
For a proper tune-up, consider calling a pro once every 1-2 years. They’ll clean the system parts you can’t reach and catch small problems before they turn into expensive emergencies. Yeah, it costs around $80-150, but that’s way cheaper than an emergency repair on the coldest day of the year.
If you have baseboard heaters, vacuum the dust off before firing them up. That burning smell when you first turn them on? That’s dust cooking, and it’s not great for your air quality.
Insulate Pipes to Prevent Freezing
Frozen pipes aren’t just inconvenient – they can burst and cause thousands in water damage. The good news is pipe insulation is cheap and easy to install.
Focus on pipes in unheated areas first – crawl spaces, attics, garages, and exterior walls. You can find foam pipe insulation at any hardware store for a few bucks. It comes in various diameters, so measure your pipes before shopping.
Installation couldn’t be simpler: cut the foam to length, slice it open along the pre-cut seam, and snap it around the pipe. Secure with duct tape at the seams.
For extra protection in super cold climates, consider heat tape or cable for problem pipes. Just follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully – improper installation can create fire hazards.
Don’t forget outdoor faucets! Disconnect hoses, drain the lines, and use insulated covers over the spigots. These little caps cost about $5-10 and can save you massive headaches.
On the coldest nights, let faucets connected to vulnerable pipes drip slightly. Moving water resists freezing better than still water. Also, keep cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes under sinks.
Check the Roof and Gutters
Your roof and gutters are your first line of defense against winter’s worst. Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which force water under your shingles and into your home.
Grab a ladder and some gloves. Clear all leaves and debris from gutters, then flush with water to check for proper drainage. While you’re up there, look for loose or damaged shingles that need fixing before snow arrives.
If you’re not comfortable on ladders, this is definitely worth hiring out. A professional gutter cleaning runs about $100-200 depending on your home size, which is pennies compared to repairing water damage.
For extra protection, consider installing gutter guards. They’re not perfect, but they’ll reduce how often you need to clean.
Don’t forget to check your attic after heavy rain or snow. Water stains or moisture are early warning signs that something needs attention right away.
Check your downspouts too – they should extend at least 5 feet from your foundation to prevent water damage. You can buy simple extensions for under $20 if needed.
Add Extra Attic and Wall Insulation
Most homes don’t have enough insulation, especially older ones. Adding insulation might seem like a big project, but it pays for itself faster than almost any other home renovation.
Start in your attic since that’s where you lose most heat. Check what you’ve got against recommended home R-values for your region. If you can see the floor joists, you need more insulation.
Batt insulation is pretty DIY-friendly – just wear long sleeves, gloves, a mask, and eye protection. Blown-in insulation gives better coverage but usually requires rental equipment or professionals.
Real estate professionals in Northern Wisconsin, like Visions First Realty, often recommending R-49 to R-60 in northern states versus R-30 in southern regions.
Wall insulation is trickier without opening walls, but blown-in options exist for finished walls. A professional home energy audit (sometimes free through utility companies) can use thermal imaging to find your worst insulation gaps.
Don’t forget to insulate around recessed lights and attic hatches, which are common culprits for heat loss.
Protect Outdoor Fixtures and Faucets
Your outdoor stuff needs winter protection too. Garden hoses can cause major problems if left connected – they trap water in the faucet which can freeze and crack pipes inside your walls.
Disconnect, drain, and store all hoses. For hose bibs (outdoor faucets), turn off their water supply from inside if possible, then drain the remaining water by opening the outside valve.
For extra protection, add insulated covers over outdoor faucets. They look like little styrofoam hats and cost about $5 each.
Don’t forget about other outdoor fixtures:
- Empty and cover AC units
- Bring in or cover patio furniture
- Wrap vulnerable plants or small trees
- Store garden ornaments that might crack in freezing temperatures
For irrigation systems, hiring a pro to blow out the lines is money well spent. DIY attempts often leave water in the system that can cause expensive damage.
Weatherproof the Fireplace and Chimney
Fireplaces are great for cozy winter nights, but they can be major sources of heat loss if not properly maintained.
First, check your damper. When you’re not using the fireplace, keep it closed tight to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney. If the damper doesn’t seal well, look into chimney balloons or plugs that inflate to block drafts completely.
Next, schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning if you haven’t had one in the past year. Creosote buildup is a serious fire hazard, and chimney cracks can let in water that damages your home when it freezes and expands.
For unused fireplaces, consider a decorative cover or insert that blocks the opening while still looking nice. Even better are insulated fireplace plugs that stop almost all air leakage while being completely removable when you want a fire.
Gas fireplaces need annual maintenance too – have a pro check gas lines, clean the fan, and make sure all safety features work properly.
Remember that burning wood creates particulates that affect indoor air quality. If someone in your home has asthma or other respiratory issues, consider using the fireplace less frequently or upgrading to a cleaner-burning insert.
Reverse Ceiling Fans for Warm Air Circulation
Did you know your ceiling fans have a winter setting? Most people don’t! In winter, your fan should rotate clockwise (when looking up) to pull air up and push warm air that collects near the ceiling back down along the walls.
This simple switch can make rooms feel 1-2 degrees warmer, which means you can lower your thermostat slightly without feeling colder. Look for a small switch on the fan’s motor housing to change the direction.
Run the fan on the lowest speed setting – you don’t want to feel a breeze (which would cool you), just gentle air circulation. This works best in rooms with high ceilings where temperature differences between floor and ceiling can be significant.
Remember to dust fan blades before reversing them, otherwise you’ll be distributing dust throughout your room.
Stock Up on Winter Essentials
Winter storms can knock out power or make roads impassable, so having supplies ready is just smart planning.
Basic winter emergency supplies include:
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Portable phone chargers
- Non-perishable food and water
- First aid supplies
- Blankets and warm clothing layers
- Sand or cat litter for traction on ice
- Snow shovels and ice melt
- Battery-powered radio
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, stock up on dry, seasoned firewood. Store it properly elevated off the ground and covered on top, but with sides open for air circulation.
For homes with generators, test run it before winter and keep fresh fuel on hand. Never run generators indoors or in attached garages due to carbon monoxide risk.
Smart homeowners also keep basic plumbing supplies ready – repair tape, pipe wrenches, and contact info for emergency plumbers.
Prepare Windows for Energy Efficiency
Windows can lose up to 30% of your home’s heat, but replacing them is expensive. Fortunately, there are cheaper options that really work.
Window insulation kits use clear plastic film and double-sided tape to create an insulating air pocket. They cost about $15-30 for multiple windows and can cut drafts significantly. The plastic is nearly invisible when properly installed.
For older windows replacement, removable caulk or rope caulk lets you seal gaps during winter and remove it in spring when you want to open windows again.
Thermal curtains add another layer of insulation, especially at night. Close them when the sun goes down to trap heat, open them during the day on sun-facing windows to let warming sunlight in.
Exterior storm windows offer excellent protection if you can afford them. Interior storm window inserts are a cheaper alternative that work almost as well.
Don’t forget that sunny winter days are your friend – open curtains on south-facing windows during daylight hours to capture free solar heat, then close them at sunset to trap it inside.
Conclusion
Winter doesn’t have to mean sky-high heating bills or that awful feeling of never getting warm enough. With these straightforward fixes, your home can stay cozy without draining your bank account. The best part? Most of these projects take just a few hours but pay you back all winter long.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start small. Even just sealing those window drafts and changing your furnace filter will make a noticeable difference. Then tackle one project each weekend until you’ve winterproofed your whole place.
