Winterize Your Home: Simple, Real World Tips (That Actually Help)
Cold snaps are rough on houses. A little prep now saves money, avoids leaks, and keeps things comfortable. Here’s a practical guide you can knock out over a weekend plus a few smart upgrades when you’ve got time. No fluff.
1) Heat & Air: keep warm air in, cold air out
Furnace/heat pump
- Swap the filter (set a phone reminder for every 30–60 days).
- Run the system once before the first freeze; listen for odd noises.
- Clear 2–3 feet around outdoor heat pump units; brush off leaves.
- Programmable thermostat: set 68–70°F when home, lower at night.
Vents
- Open and vacuum floor/ceiling registers.
- Don’t block returns with furniture.
- Close gaps around doors/windows with adhesive weather-strip and a door sweep.
- Use rope caulk on drafty window sashes peels off in spring.
- Close the damper on unused fireplaces (and plug with a chimney balloon if you never use it).
2) Plumbing: freeze prevention = cheap insurance
- Garden hoses off, spigots drained. Add outdoor faucet covers.
- Insulate exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and garages.
- Know where your main shutoff valve is. Test it once.
- In hard freezes, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls and let faucets drip a pencil-thin stream overnight.
If leaving town: set heat to at least 55°F, and ask a neighbor to check in.
3) Roof, gutters & outside basics
- Clean gutters so meltwater can flow. Add downspout extenders 3–6 ft away from the house.
- Look for missing shingles, cracked vents, or loose flashing small fixes now stop ceiling stains later.
- Trim branches that touch the roof; wind + ice = shingle damage.
- Check walkways and steps; bag of ice melt (pet-safe) on hand helps.
4) Doors, windows & insulation
- Attic: if you can see joists, you probably need more insulation. Aim for 10–14 inches total (varies by climate).
- Basement/crawl space: seal gaps where pipes and wires enter with foam or caulk.
- Windows: if they’re leaky, add clear shrink-film kits for winter cheap, big payoff.
- Curtains help too: open on sunny days, close at night.
5) Safety checks (do these)
- Smoke & CO detectors: test, replace batteries, and put one near bedrooms and by the furnace area.
- Fireplace/wood stove: have chimneys inspected/cleaned if you burn regularly.
- Keep a flashlight and small space heater (tip-over/overheat protection) for emergencies.
- Inspect around tubs, showers, and sinks. Recaulk cracked lines to block moisture and cold drafts.
- Check the water heater: drain a gallon from the tank to remove sediment; insulate the first 6 ft of hot/cold pipes on top. A water heater blanket helps older tanks.
7) Garage & vehicles
- Weather-strip the garage door; it’s a big heat leak.
- Store a winter kit: ice melt, shovel, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, gloves.
8) Energy savers that pay back
- Smart thermostat: learns your schedule, trims energy use.
- LED bulbs: cold weather friendly and low wattage.
- Outlet/switch gaskets on exterior walls tiny cost, noticeable draft fix.
- Power strips for media/office gear; switch off phantom loads.
9) If you work from home
- Move your desk away from drafty windows.
- Use a door draft stopper for the office.
- Space heater rule: keep 3 ft from anything that burns; never leave it running unattended.
10) Quick weekend checklist
Outside
- Clean gutters / extend downspouts
- Disconnect hoses / cover spigots
- Check roof edges & flashing
- Trim branches off the roof
Inside
- Replace HVAC filter; test heat
- Weather-strip doors / add door sweeps
- Seal window drafts (rope caulk or film)
- Insulate exposed pipes
- Test smoke & CO detectors
- Find and test main water shutoff
11) When to call a pro
- Furnace/boiler won’t start, smells odd, or trips breakers.
- You see roof sagging, soft spots, or interior ceiling stains.
- Frozen pipe you can’t reach or a burst line (shut water off first).
- Chimney cleaning, major electrical work, or new insulation in tight spaces.
