5 Essential Tips to Winterize Your Home & Stay Warm This Winter

Winter is a season that brings many challenges, especially when it comes to keeping your home warm and comfortable. Your comfort (and safety) is precisely why preparing your house is so important.

Winterizing ensures your home is adequately insulated and sealed from the cold outside air. This not only helps to keep your home warm but also helps to reduce your energy bills by making your home more energy-efficient.

Here are five steps that you can take to winterize your property and ensure it stays safe and secure during the colder months.

Insulate your home: Good insulation is critical in retaining heat and keeping your home warm and cozy during the winter. Insulation can also help to reduce your energy bills by preventing heat from escaping. Check your home’s insulation and add more if necessary. Insulate your attic, walls, and basement to prevent heat loss and keep your home warm and comfortable.

Seal any drafts: Drafts can be a significant source of heat loss, letting cold air into your home and making your heating system work harder than necessary. Check your windows and doors for drafts and seal them with weather stripping or caulking. You can also use draft stoppers to prevent drafts from falling under doors.

Check your heating system: Everyone wants a warm home in the winter, so it’s important to maintain the heating system. Have your heating system serviced by a professional to keep it running efficiently and safely. Also, don’t forget to change the furnace filter at least once every ninety days.

Protect your pipes: Frozen pipes can be a significant problem during the winter, so taking steps to prevent them from freezing is essential. Insulate your pipes and keep them warm by opening cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate them. If you will be away from home for an extended time, leave your faucets running at a slow drip to prevent your pipes from freezing. This is not the best option, though, if you’re going away overnight.

Prepare your outdoor areas: Winter can be harsh on outdoor areas, so preparing them for the cold weather is essential. Clean your gutters and downspouts to prevent ice dams from forming. Trim any tree branches that could fall on your home during a winter storm. Remove any outdoor hoses and store them indoors to prevent them from freezing.