4 Tips for Winterizing Your Home

Winterizing a Leduc home can save homeowners on their utility bills and ensure the home is comfortable and secure no matter how cold it gets outside. The best part about this common autumn task is it's probably not as difficult as it may first seem. All it really requires is an observant eye and a few tools. Here are four tips that will ready any property for the plunge in temperatures.

Target the Doors and Windows

There are two key ways to take care of the openings to the home:

• Caulking: The foundation is constantly shifting in a home, and the changes can cause gaps in the windows. Caulking should be done every few years to ensure all holes are patched.
• Weatherstripping: This low-cost winterizing solution can be used around the doors. If there's any light peaking through the edges, replace the stripping before the snow starts to fall.

Heavy Layers

Layers are great for the colder seasons, both for clothes and homes. When homeowners add thick drapes and rugs, they're creating an extra bit of insulation against the wind. This is also a great time to check the state of the insulation of the property too. Even foam insulation has a tendency to degrade over time, and homeowners may need to flesh out their crawl spaces or attics.

Check the Appliances

The flues need to be closed completely in the fireplace to prevent cold air from seeping in from the top. Homeowners can also use glass doors to help keep the warm air in. Covering the water heater and replacing the furnace filters also make it possible to retain energy.

Schedule an Energy Audit

Energy audits can cost a few-hundred dollars, but they're incredibly handy for older homes. The process will reveal exactly where the home is losing energy, and the auditor can suggest solutions for each problem area.

When winterizing a home, remember it helps to keep the thermostat as low as possible when sleeping. Homeowners can also buy a programmable thermostat to limit energy waste when they're not at home. Whatever homeowners do, simply paying more attention to the state of the home and the amount spent on utility bills is a strong step in the right direction.