Prepare Your Home for Winter Weather

Ice, snow, and freezing weather can be tough on your home, but there are plenty of easy ways to stay warm indoors and keep your house in good condition. Follow these DIY tips to prepare your home before the chill hits—you’ll be more comfortable when the thermometer dips and save more on energy bills.

• Change your filters. Clogged and dirty filters are the No. 1 reason contractors receive calls for failing heating systems. They cause heaters to work much harder and lead to early failure. Changing your filters regularly can prevent this. If you have baseboard heating, make sure the coils are clean and clear of dust and debris.
• Minimize air drafts. Easy-to-use air sealing kits and insulating spray foam are available at most hardware stores. Use these to seal gaps around doors, light fixtures, and plumbing under the sink or behind your washing machine. This will reduce drafts and keep warm air inside.
• Remove window A/C units. Keeping your air conditioning unit in your window during cold months allows heated air to escape, leaving you colder and your heating bills higher.
• Check your fireplace. Chimneys can be responsible for substantial heat loss. If you have an open fireplace, close the damper when it is not in use.
• Close the curtains at night. Even with highly efficient windows, the area around them can get cold. Insulated shades and cloth curtains create a buffer between you and the cold glass, leading to more comfortable temperatures indoors.
• Open the curtains in the day. Even in winter, opening your curtains allows your home to absorb plenty of free heat from the sun during the day. Plus, exposure to natural light has been shown to improve your mood.