Are you ready to block those cold drafts?
Are you getting your shopping lists together and prepping for Black Friday? With all of the holiday hullabaloo, it may be easy to forget about your end-of-fall home to-do list. After all, who wants to think about insulation and gutters when there are presents to buy and dinners to plan?
Well, this is a big mistake. Weatherizing for winter can be a big help when it comes to comfort and finances. Who wants to spend their paycheck on the gas bill when they could be spending it on making the holidays more festive? Here are some things you should do to weatherize your home and how you can get them accomplished.
Seal air leaks. Start at your attic and work your way down to your basement. Ensure that your attic contains adequate insulation. Remember, warn heat rises. You don’t want the warm air in your home escaping outside.
That goes for your chimney as well. Make sure the damper is closed when you are not using your fireplace. Otherwise it will act like a big vacuum and will suck all that warm air out of your home.
Make sure you check around your windows and doors. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal any leaks. Don’t forget to go outside and make sure that those cracks are sealed outside as well for a truly tight seal.
Insulate. Insulation is going to be your best defense against the cold. Remember, the water in pipes can expand during the winter and crack your pipes. This can lead to major repairs (and headaches). This is particularly important if you have plumbing located in exterior walls.
Remember, a little bit of prevention can help avoid major headaches later. In addition to getting your home weatherized, make sure you have a contractor come out and inspect your gas furnace. This way you can avoid a potential emergency “no heat” call during the winter when you need your furnace the most.
What else do you do to weatherize your home for winter?