Money-Saving Ideas for Winter Home Preparation

Smart Ideas for Winter Home Preparation

We are well into fall, and many of us are thinking ahead to winter. It’s time to get our home and outbuildings ready for more severe weather. We share some money-saving hints for winter home preparation that are simple and easy.

Clean Your Gutters & Roof Easily

I know this is at the top of everyone’s list to do before winter, but I would like to give you some ideas about how to do it in less time. Gutter guards give you the advantage of less mess to clean each year from your gutters. We use plastic gutter guards because they are pliable and easy to remove and replace.

My latest purchase is saving me so much time! I finally ordered a two-story roof rake, and what a game-changer this purchase has been. No more lugging ladders around the house, I can sweep the roof of leaves and debris from the ground!

Check Your Fireplace or Heating Stove

Before you need to start your fireplace or heating stove, it’s time to clean the flue. This is a safety issue, and it also gives you the best heat production from your fireplace or heating stove. Technology has come a long way from needing to climb the roof and take the flue cap off and clean your stove from the top down. There are purest who still like to clean a flue from the top down, but now there are chimney sweep brushes that attach to your cordless drill that clean your stovepipe from the bottom up and do a great job!

Seal Windows and Doors

I recently saw utility bills from a house that didn’t caulk windows and doors annually compared to the utility bills for houses that seal windows and doors annually. It seems like it’s a small difference it would make, but over time, it really makes a sizable difference in utility costs. Additionally, sealing windows and doors helps keep your windows, doors, and trim pieces in better condition.

Trim Low-Hanging Tree Branches

Low-hanging branches can cause house damage. Limbs can scratch windows or break off and damage your roof or siding. Winter storms, wind, ice, and snow can mean trouble if you have a lot of trees around your house! Fall is the time to trim branches before they cause problems during the winter.

Cover Your Patio Furniture & Hot Tub

Probably one of the best investments I made was covers for my outdoor furniture. Covering outdoor furniture extends the life of your outdoor furniture. When we had 100 mph winds and the hot tub cover blew off, I thought I would need to buy another hot tub cover. Structurally, it was sound, but it had taken on some water. Instead of spending $1000+ for a new hot tub cover, I bought a waterproof cover for my hot tub. This will be its third winter for under a $50 investment that made it through 80mph winds last year and saved me money and time.

Winterize Your Air Conditioner

To winterize your air conditioner, clean the outdoor unit, the indoor filter, shut off the power supply to the unit, prune any foliage near the air conditioner, and insulate any exposed pipes. As an extra measure, waterproof air conditioner covers are inexpensive and protect your investment from harsh weather, such as snow, excessive rain, and ice.

Protect Your Pipes

Do you know how many calls plumbers get after the first hard freeze? A lot! First, unhook and drain all your exterior hoses and store them for the winter. Next, insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas such as the garage, basement, and your home’s exterior pipes. Buying ready-made pip wrap is one of the easiest solutions since it is self-sealing.

Service Your Heating System

You may want to schedule a professional HVAC tune-up prior to winter or do it yourself. Performing regular maintenance on your heating system saves you money in the long run and extends the life expectancy of your heating system. Cleaning vents and replacing air filters prior to cold weather can help lower your utility bills.

Drain Watering System

Draining your watering system before cold weather ensures that your system will work well for you when the weather turns warm in the spring. Many irrigation systems, especially drip systems, have irrigation pipes installed on top of the ground, so it’s prone to freezing if there is still water in the piping.

Install Programmable Thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat can save you money on your utility bill. Programming your thermostat to 7-10 degrees below what is comfortable for you during waking hours for at least 8 hours when you sleep can save you money and help you sleep better.

Setting the thermostat lower while you are at work, along with lower nighttime temperatures, can save you twice as the money. You can set your thermostat to heat your home an hour before you arrive home, so your home is comfortable when you arrive home.

Change Batteries Smoke Detectors

Winter can bring an increased risk of fires due to heating systems, fireplaces, and heating stoves. Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they work properly. If they are battery-operated, be sure to check the batteries.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans can make a world of difference in how the heat in your home is distributed in cold months. Prior to winter, it is a good time to check the settings on your ceiling fans to run clockwise. This will create an updraft that pushes the warm air down into a room and can help reduce your heating bill.

Check Outdoor Lighting

Whether you have solar outdoor lighting or traditional outdoor lighting, now is a good time to check a number of things you want working properly before winter. If you have solar outdoor lighting, make sure they are still working with the shorter daylight time. Many of the newer solar outdoor lights take less sunlight to charge than the older models.

If you have motion-sensor outdoor lighting, make sure the sensors are in working order. Many motion-sensor outdoor lights are programmable in many ways these days. Make sure your motion-sensor lights are set to the optimal settings for your family’s needs. I know in the winter we tend to get more wind and also critters visiting our property, so I tend to increase the setting, so they don’t go on with the slightest wind or when a fox runs in front of our garage.

At Shed Windows and More, we have products that can help you save money prior to winter. Replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows can lower your utility bill. Replacing worn-out shed doors with new shed doors can keep your outbuilding in better shape year-round. If your home’s exterior doors are showing wear, replacing them with either one of our steel doors or fiberglass doors can add curb appeal and beauty to your home.