A Winter-Proof Home Saves Money and Energy
Would you like to winter-proof your house?
Preparing your home for winter is something every wise homeowner should do. You can save energy, which in turn will help you save money.
The sun feels so great on warm days that it is easy to forget what’s ahead. If you dread fall and winter because of the cold weather, consider now the best time to formulate your strategy for warmth.
A plan to remedy last year’s cold house will create a cozier winter environment. Making your home cold-weather resistant is certainly a topic many people like to research!
Some easy do-it-yourself ideas for bringing in brightness and heat won’t take too long or involve a whole-house remodel.
When the afternoons get dark early, and the temperatures fall, you’ll be glad you set up your house for warmth. Take some of these steps now to be warmer this winter.
From experience as a Realtor and homeowner in several states, there are several steps you can take to get your home ready for winter. By following this advice you can better position yourself to feel more comfortable in your living space.
Winter-proofing your house will make you feel warmer and save you money on energy bills!
Let’s examine everything you should know to start down the road of lowering your wintertime bills.
A side benefit is many of these home improvements can increase your property value.
Start With a Home Energy Audit
One of the best ways to winter-proof your home is to find its weaknesses. You can do this by getting a professional home energy audit. An experienced company can visit your house and diagnose all the areas of your property where you can save money.
I have done this myself and saved enormous money over the years. The process is straightforward, and I now recommend it to all my real estate clients.
An energy auditor will visit your property and conduct a detailed inspection. This will include a blower test and using an infrared camera to detect where you have air leaks and any insulation issues. These tests will help discover where your home is losing energy. It could be through doors, windows, or inadequate insulation.
An energy audit can also reveal potential issues with humidity control, ventilation, and consistent interior temperatures. Addressing these issues can improve your home’s comfort and enhance indoor air quality.
Powered Electrical and Data reports that an energy auditor is also an excellent means of finding safety and health issues such as fuel leaks or faulty wiring. You’ll be able to correct these issues promptly for a safer home.
Understanding How Good This Winter-Proofing Tip Can Be
From experience, following an auditor’s tips can save you significant money. According to Energy Sage, the average household in the United States spends around $2,190 annually on electricity bills.
Once you take advantage of the advice presented in the analysis of your property, you can save anywhere from 5-30 percent on your monthly energy bills. Not too shabby!
I saved around 15 percent in my large home by following all the advice. I highly recommend this as part of your winter energy savings plan.
Most of the savings will come from those who have older homes. Homes today are built much more tightly than they were even 25 years ago, and there are many ways to improve their energy efficiency. These are all excellent steps in the winter-proofing process.
Up the Warmth With a Fireplace Insert
One of the best ways to keep warm is to use your fireplace for something more than a beautiful focal point.
Lighting a fire whenever you’re home will help keep you toasty. Help turn that into a habit of making your fireplace more manageable.
A wood-burning fireplace is great, but it has drawbacks to using it daily. Hauling in wood, cleaning out ashes, and vacuuming your mess are only part of the issue.
The other concern is that you might need to run out for an errand or get tired and want to go to bed— you can’t leave the fire burning. You must wait until it burns out or extinguish it entirely and light it again later.
Consider adding an electric fireplace insert to counter all of these issues. With an off-and-on switch, you can quickly run the fireplace to add heat without extra work. You can also turn it off to leave the house or go to bed safely at any time.
It’s even possible to bring the warmth of an electric fireplace to a room that doesn’t have a fireplace at all. You can add an electric fireplace as easily as a new piece of furniture. They are sold in varying sizes to fit any space and have a surround and mantle to mimic the look of a traditional fireplace.
Lea Schneider, a professional organizational expert who assists homeowners in organizing their houses from the attic down to the basement, recommends purchasing inserts from Home Depot. If you are researching fireplace inserts, including styles referred to by Lea, you can view many models at Homedepot.com.
Keep the Heat Inside With Caulk
The colder you are, the more heat escapes (or the more cold air arrives). Try to block all escape routes. This is a must for any winter-proofing plan.
Follow these time-tested energy-saving tips, especially during the winter months.
Start with some caulk. If you do the recommended energy audit, this will be one of the items they discuss for winter-proofing. This is an easy-to-do project that pays off. Look for gaps around window and door frames on your home’s exterior, then apply caulk to block the holes.
Repeat the same process inside your home. Check around each window and door. If you have a broken window, arrange to get it repaired or replaced before the weather turns cold.
Cold air can also enter under the door. Easy-to-apply weatherstrips adhere to the door or slide onto the bottom.
You can apply stick-on weatherstripping around the frame or place a draft blocker or “snake” on the floor before the door.
Tips For DIY Caulking
If you like to tackle these kinds of jobs independently, here is how to do it. The first step is choosing the right caulk.
Polyurethane and silicone caulk are excellent choices for sealing exterior window surfaces. They are durable and resistant to various elements.
Polyurethane adheres well to multiple materials. However, it’s essential to know it can degrade under UV light unless coated with UV-resistant paint.
Silicone is highly water-resistant but doesn’t adhere well to wood and cannot be painted. Siliconized latex caulk, on the other hand, is a good option for interior projects because it adheres well to many surfaces and is paintable.
Preparing for Caulking
- Ensure the surface is clean and free of old caulk, dirt, and debris to allow the new caulk to adhere correctly.
- Working on a day with mild weather and low humidity is essential for outdoor caulking to ensure the best drying and curing conditions.
Applying Caulk Correctly
- Don’t cut too much off the caulk tube tip to avoid excessive caulk bead size. Start small with a small amount; you can always cut more off if needed.
- Use both hands for control and maintain your wrist position to achieve a uniform bead.
- Apply caulk in dry and warm weather. It is crucial to avoid direct sunlight, excessive humidity, and windy conditions to prevent quick drying, shrinking, or debris sticking to the caulk.
- Caulk the interior and exterior seams of windows and doors for the best weatherproofing.
- For gaps or cracks larger than 1/4 inch, use a foam backer rod before caulking to get a good seal.
Finishing Touches
- Smooth the caulk bead after application with a wet finger, spoon, or tooling tool for a neat finish. Your finger often does the best job of shaping the caulk smoothly.
- Pay attention to any existing gaps, cracks, or other imperfections. This will help ensure everything is adequately sealed to prevent moisture inside.
Properly winter-proofing your home by caulking all your gaps requires preparation and attention to detail. By following these tips, your home will be more energy-efficient.
Don’t Forget About Your Electrical Outlets
Another spot that sometimes blasts cold air into your home is electrical outlets, especially those on exterior walls.
Sometimes, during the winter, you can hold your hand over one and feel cold air coming inside.
Purchase a pack of outlet insulation to block the cold. They are cut and shaped precisely like an outlet. All you have to do is unscrew the vent cover, place it in the insulation, and screw the lid back in place.
You should also ensure your vents are not blocked so the heat can flow freely throughout your home.
Move any furniture away from vents and ensure each vent is opened and hasn’t accidentally been shut. Close the vents and the doors to unused rooms so you are not heating an unused space.
Some of the biggest bangs for your buck will be adding additional insulation to your attic. Not only will this keep your home warmer, but it will also help prevent ice dams from forming outside your house. Stopping ice dams is always a good thing, as it can cause significant damage to your home!
Additionally, walls can be cold in the wintertime. Moving your furniture away from the wall and perhaps grouping it closer to the fireplace will make it much warmer and more comfortable.
Add Layers to Your Floors
Getting dressed in layers is an old trick for keeping your body warm when the temperature dips, but did you know you can also dress your home in layers?
Cold and damp air comes up through your floor from the basement, crawl space, or slab. Soon, your feet are cold, and your whole body is cold.
An easy and painless tip to winter-proof a home is to begin with the floor. Add a layer of warmth by adding a plush rug to your living area. If you already have carpet, you can layer a rug right over the carpet to form a conversation area.
If you have another flooring, such as hardwood, add a protective and warm layer using a rug pad. Be sure to add throw rugs to the places you visit daily, such as the kitchen sink, in front of the washer and dryer, and the bathroom.
Continue layering your home by draping cozy blanket throws over chairs or the sofa. Family members can snuggle under them as they study or watch TV. You can also hang curtains on your windows.
Let The Sun Shine in By Opening Your Drapes and Curtains
Keep them open during the day to let the bright sun in for warmth and light, but pull them closed once it’s dark out to add another layer of insulation from the cold. This is an easy tip to follow, and it won’t cost you a dime.
Change out your bedding to add even more layers. Flannel sheets are perfect for chilly nights. Add a down comforter to help trap in warmth, and fold an extra blanket on the end of your bed so you can quickly pull it over if you’re cold at night.
Brighten Up With Interior Lighting
Homes are often dark on winter days. Even with the blinds up and the drapes drawn back, there isn’t enough sunlight to stream inside. The darker it is, the more dreary and cold you feel.
Change your lighting to brighten your home and your mood. You don’t need to replace lamps or light fixtures; you can do an easy light bulb change.
Choose light bulbs that are marked “daylight.” These bulbs help the lighting in your home better mimic natural sunlight.
If your home is still too dark, add some floor lamps or lights in the corners of the rooms. You can also hang small lights over artwork to highlight them. The overall effect brightens the room.
While installing daylight bulbs in your ceiling fixtures, ensure your ceiling fans are correctly adjusted.
In the winter, you’ll want the fan blades to move clockwise. Since heat rises, the blades spinning clockwise will push the warm air back down.
Get Colorful
Color influences how we feel. It can make us feel energetic, peaceful, or happy.
Likewise, it can make you feel warmer or cooler. If your room predominantly features a cool color like blue, purple, or green, consider adding a warmer hue such as red, orange, or yellow.
Web MD has a great article on the Psychology of color and how it affects people daily.
However, you don’t have to re-paint the entire room. You can get the desired effect by painting one accent wall or using warm-colored accessories.
Bright throw pillows, vases, and rugs can also perk up your mood in the winter. You can also pick up some flowers at the grocery store for your coffee table or kitchen island.
Be Smart About Energy
A programmable thermostat is a smart move toward being warmer. It lets you allocate your energy dollars where you need them. Heating the house during the day when no one is home can cost a pretty penny. You may try to counter that by being frugal at night and turning the heat down, even though you need it.
With a programmable thermostat, you can schedule temperatures to automatically keep the house cool during the day and warm it up before you get home. It can also lower the temperature for a cooler sleeping environment and raise it again in the early morning, so it is warm when you wake up.
You can also be brighter by professionally servicing your heater while the weather is still warm. As soon as it is cold, the service companies are swamped— you’ll be warm and comfy knowing your maintenance was already performed.
Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Be sure to keep a stack of extra air filters at the house. Mark them on your calendar to replace them regularly so your heater performs well throughout the cold season.
If you are energy-conscious, you may want to consider adding solar panels to your home. Solar panels are an excellent way to capture the sun’s energy.
The money saved in electricity can be used elsewhere to make your home more comfortable. Keep in mind that adding solar panels is a significant investment. The cost of solar panels is expensive. You should only add them to your house if you plan on being there for many more years.
While they offer an excellent return on investment for saving energy, don’t expect solar panels to increase home values dramatically.
Don’t Forget the Little Things
Once the cold weather arrives, you’ll have the major issues solved. Remember a few more minor things to create a warm and cozy environment.
We hate to cook and heat the kitchen in the summer, but winter is the perfect time to turn on the oven. Build your menus around meals that heat the kitchen, like baking chicken or putting on a simmering soup pot.
Dressing in layers does help, so be sure to continue that practice. It’s also crucial to keeping your feet warm. Stash slippers by the front door to kick off icy or wet shoes and go right to warmth.
General Winter Preparation Advice
Most of our winter-proofing tips have focused on being more energy-conscious. However, there are some general things that every homeowner should do to prepare for winter.
Clean Your Gutters
Cleaning your gutters is essential. It can exacerbate ice damming issues. It is generally recommended that you clean your gutters and downspouts a few times a year, especially if you have many trees around your home.
Clearing them out before the onset of freezing temperatures is crucial to preparing your home for winter. If your gutters fill up with debris rapidly, consider installing leaf guards to help keep them clean for a more extended period. I mention this to all my clients to prepare their homes for sale.
Winterize Your Sprinkler System
If you’ve never owned a house with sprinklers, it’s essential to understand their maintenance. When preparing for winter, you must get them prepared for next spring. That means getting the system winterized.
If you have a sprinkler system on your lawn, it’s essential to turn off the water before the ground freezes and flush out any remaining water from the pipes. This can be done by opening the manual valve and activating the system or by using a compressor to remove any remaining water from the system.
You can also hire a professional to do this task, which I would recommend. I’ve had professionals do this task on all my properties.
Get Your Chimney and Fireplace Cleaned
You may not have used your chimney during the summer, but it’s essential to have it inspected and cleaned as part of your winterization checklist for fire safety.
Consider hiring a professional inspector to examine your chimney while preparing your property for winter. The inspector will assess any buildup that may have occurred during the off-seasons and ensure that your flue has a tight seal when closed.
You should plan on having a level-two chimney inspection every couple of years. If you use your fireplace a ton in the winter, doing it even more regularly might be prudent.
Replace Your HVAC Filters
No helpful winter checklist would be complete without this vital maintenance task.
Changing furnace filters every three months is recommended, although some experts advise doing so monthly. If you have oil heat, it is vital to have your system inspected and tuned up every year. For gas systems, you can do it every two years.
Contact an HVAC professional for a furnace inspection to ensure everything functions properly. During the inspection, they will clean the furnace and replace the filter. You may also consider having them clean your ducts every few years. This is good for your health and heating and cooling efficiency.
You should have this on your spring home maintenance checklist as well.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have enjoyed my cold-weather home comfort tips! Take the time to read some of these great authors below as well. They all provide valuable information to consumers to help them make excellent real estate decisions.
Additional Helpful Real Estate Articles Worth Your Time
- Selling a home in the fall or winter – Learn what it takes to sell some in the fall or winter, including some energy savers.
- Energy-saving tips for fall and winter – get terrific tips for saving money in your home during the fall and winter months.
- Tips for selling a home in the winter: Maximum Real Estate Exposure offers excellent advice on maximizing your home selling efforts in winter.
- Best green home improvements learn some of the best green energy savers via Anita Clark.
About the Author: Bill Gassett, a nationally recognized leader in his field, provided information on winter-proofing a home. Bill has expertise in mortgages, financing, moving, home improvement, and general real estate.
Learn more about Bill Gassett and the publications in which he has been featured. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-625-0191. For the past 38+ years, Bill has helped people move in and out of Metrowest towns.
Are you thinking of selling your home? I am passionate about real estate and love sharing my marketing expertise!
I service Real Estate Sales in the following Metrowest MA towns: Ashland, Bellingham, Douglas, Framingham, Franklin, Grafton, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hopedale, Medway, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Sutton, Wayland, Westborough, Whitinsville, Worcester, Upton, and Uxbridge MA.
