How to Prepare for Winter Costs
Prepare for Winter Weather
Here comes winter! Before the temperatures drop and the snow officially blows into town, it’s time to take steps to prepare for winter by winterizing your home. Use this list of tips and tricks to help keep your home cozy and your winter budget safe and sound.
Seal Doors with Weatherstripping
Move a lit candle around the frame of an exterior door. Does the flame blow towards you? If so, you have a draft. Seal it up by installing foam or felt weatherstripping inside the door frame.
Close the Damper
Done roasting chestnuts? Finished with your roaring holiday fire? Shut the flue after the fireplace has cooled. Otherwise, your home’s heat will fly right up the chimney.
Close Curtains and Blinds When You’re Away
Believe it or not, they provide excellent insulation. Close them at night and when you’re away to conserve the heat circulating in your home. It’s a no-brainer way to save money on your energy bill.
Open Curtains and Blinds on the West and South Facing Windows
Even with the cold wind rattling the windows, the sunshine can naturally warm your home. When you’re there, open shades, and curtains on the windows that face west or south. Doing so can lower your heating bill between 2% and 12%.
Add Attic Insulation
In most cases, this isn’t a DIY project. But while the initial cost to prepare for winter by winterizing your house with insulation can be substantial, the savings over time on your heating bill can more than make up for it. Your home will feel a lot more comfortable too.
Set the Thermostats to 68 Degrees During the Day
It’s the most efficient temperature for your home in the wintertime. One important note though: don’t manually adjust it once it’s set. This is a “set it and forget it” tip. If you have a programmable thermostat, set it to lower the temperature a few degrees more at night.
Replace Furnace Filters Every Month
Nothing blows your heating bill like a dirty furnace. Keep things running smoothly by replacing filters once a month. The pleated kind of filters work best because they trap more dirt. Not sure if it’s time to replace? Hold the filter up to the light, if you can’t see through it, it’s time for a new one.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans
It may sound weird, but when a ceiling fan runs clockwise it pushes warm air down. That helps keep a room comfy without adjusting the thermostat.
Wrap Your Pipes
When it comes to winterizing a house, this is an important tip. As water turns to ice, it expands and can easily burst a pipe. Avoid this costly winter repair by wrapping your pipes with fiberglass insulation or rubber sleeves.
GET HELP WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS
Unexpected expenses happen – especially in the winter months. If you suddenly find yourself faced with an expensive repair, a quick loan from LendNation can help. LendNation offers a variety of flexible loans to fit your needs, all with a fast and hassle-free application. With in-store and online options, you can get the money you need the day you need it. Find a location or apply now.