Tips to Winterize Your Home
The early days of winter will be here before you know it! Colder weather means it’s time to crank up the heat and keep your living space cozy, but that also means a dreadfully high electric bill. How to save on your electric bills in winter? Winterize your home!
Call Your Local Power Company To Perform An Energy Assessment
In many cases, local power companies will offer an energy assessment free of cost. Just let them know that you’re working on winterizing your home. They’ll tour your residence and make any necessary recommendations to help you winterize your home and be more energy efficient.
Water Heater Blankets
Adding water heater blankets is an easy step in the winterization process. Most local hardware stores carry water heater blankets that you can quickly add to your home water heater. Doing this can save 7% to 16% in water heater costs. That said, gas water heaters are exempt from this, as any escaping heat travels through the flue.
Keep Up With Furnace Maintenance
Furnace maintenance may sound like a complicated step. However, you likely will only need to change your air filters. If you don’t already, you’ll want to do this every three months. A clean filter allows the furnace to run more efficiently and not work as hard as a dirt and dust-filled one. New filters are another easy way to winterize your home. We always recommend this to people who ask for simple ways to save on electric bills in the winter.
Cut Back Your Branches
Another big step in winterizing your home is to trim back your branches. If branches hang over your home and cars, they can accumulate ice and snap, causing damage to your property.
Thermal Curtains
Another super easy way to winterize your home is to switch out your standard curtains for thicker/heavier thermal curtains. These heavier curtains prevent heat loss and block out cold air coming from your window.
Seal Air Gaps
Air gaps are nasty no matter the time of year. Air gaps are simple gaps around your windows/doors that can cause drafts. So by sealing these with caulking, you can help save money on your electric bill in winter and summer. It’s all about keeping out cold & warm air.
Don’t Forget to Winterize your Potted Plants
Your house plants are part of your home. Your plants matter! Not just because you invested your time and money, but they will also help filter your air. Much like your pet, if you’re cold, they’re cold. So bring any plants you can inside.
You can simply wrap them in an old sheet or a tarp to protect them from the elements. It is also suggested not to water them before a freeze. As long as the winter conditions aren’t too bad, they should come back next year.
Protect Your Outdoor Setup
Another step to winterizing your home is preparing the outside of your home for harsh weather. So look at what you have outside, and find storage in your garage or shed. A simple protective cover will do if you have something that can’t be easily moved, like a grill. Next, unplug any outdoor electronics and move them inside. This step will not only help save on your electric bill but also save your items and keep you from spending money on repairs or replacements in the long run.
