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Winter is upon us, just 5 easy and simple steps that will help Winterize Your Home and save some money.
- Make and deploy some draft “snakes”. It’s an old, Depression-era DIY solution. Fill a long tube sock or stocking with sand or dried beans, then lay it just inside the threshold, positioned so that it blocks drafts from coming in under the door. If you’re feeling crafty, make your draft snakes into cute characters with googly eyes and other decorations. Just be careful not to trip over them as you enter or leave.
- Reverse your ceiling fan rotation. Many homeowners don’t realize that their ceiling fans have switches that reverse the blades’ rotation from summer-time counterclockwise (which pulls cooler air up from the floor) to winter-time clockwise (which pushes warmer air down from the ceiling). Using basic thermodynamics to your advantage can greatly reduce your heating bill.
- Install insulated storm doors and windows. Insulated storm doors and windows can increase your home’s heat-keeping efficiency, drastically lower your energy bill and — because they block cold air drafts — make it less likely that your pipes will freeze. Can’t afford all new windows this year? Head to your local hardware store and pick up a few plastic window insulation kits. They’re cheap and easy to install.
- Re-caulk windows and replace worn-out weather stripping around doors. Insulated storm doors and windows can increase your home’s heat-keeping efficiency, drastically lower your energy bill and — because they block cold air drafts — make it less likely that your pipes will freeze. Can’t afford all new windows this year? Head to your local hardware store and pick up a few plastic window insulation kits. They’re cheap and easy to install.
- Check with your state and the federal government to see if you qualify for energy-saving home improvement incentives. Touching up the caulk around your window sills will help keep cold air outside, where it belongs. Check the weather stripping around your doors. If it’s worn out, replace it. And don’t forget to caulk around your doorjambs and in the space between the plate and the threshold.
There are plenty of tax-based incentives, low-interest loans and even grants to help you winterize your home. Search your location here to see what you might be eligible for.
