10 Cheap Ways to Winterize Your house - Save Money & Remain Cozy This Winter

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The verdict is out and forecasters are predicting a "classic" Canadian winter with plenty of snow! Keep your family warm this winter season and your money in the bank. Here are a few tips and tricks to winterize your home before the bitter cold arrives.

Change Furnace Filters

Easy to forget but important to do.  Replace or clean your furnace filters once a month during the heating season. Built-up dirty restricts airflow and forces your furnace to work harder than it needs to and shortens its lifespan. Remember, replacing your entire furnace will cost a lot more money.  

Run Ceiling Fans in Reverse

Many ceiling units actually come with a switch that reverses that direction of the fan. Switching the blade to rotate clockwise produces warm air. In essence, by switching the direction of the fan, the cooler air is drawn upwards, which forces the warmer air near the ceiling back down.  Doing so could reduce your heating costs as much as 10%!

Winterize You’re A/C and Water Lines

This is an easy step and doesn’t cost a cent.
Simply drain all hoses and stow them away neatly. Turn off exterior water spigots.  If you’re A/C has a water shutoff valve, turn that off. Lastly, remove all window A/C units to eliminate cold drafts all winter long.

Avoid the Draft(s)

Drafts can waste 5-30% of energy used to heat your house. For a simple fix, adopt a method fostered by the Great Depression – the draft snake. Simply place a rolled up bath towel under a drafty door. Such draft snakes can also be placed on window sills.

Install Storm Doors and Windows

Installing storm doors and windows can increase efficiency by 45% by reducing air flow and preventing unwanted drafts. They also allow for greater flexibility for letting light and ventilation enter your home. You will certainly feel the difference on those cold gusty nights.

Program Your Thermostat

Another simple way to save money this winter season is to turn down your thermostat when leaving your house. 50-70% of your energy budge is usually wasted on heating an empty house. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you’ll save 1-3% on your heating bill.

Pickup a Window Insulation Kit

For just a few extra dollars, you can add a buffer to your window against drafts and increase your home’s ability to hold heat. Furthermore, properly installed window covering are virtually invisible. You can pick up a window insulation kit at your local hardware or discount store.

Use Calking and Weatherstripping

Air leaks near windows, chimneys, where pipes exit and along the foundation can be easily sealed with inexpensive calking. Don’t wait for a cold windy night to determine whether or not your windows need to be sealed. Have someone on the outside blow a hair dryer around the perimeter of each window while you hold a candle inside. If the candle is blown out or even flickers, you need to caulk around the fame.

Insulation!

It may not sound easy but insulation is one of the best ways to save energy and money whilst keeping your house warm. Adding more insulation between walks, to your attic floors and your basement ceiling are 3 ways to dramatically weatherize your home for the winter.

Protect the Patio

Bring it inside or cover up your tables, chairs, fire pits and grill. Any aluminum patio furniture has the potential to rust over the winter if left exposed. Simply cover them with a painter’s tarp or other covering that can be found at your local hardware store.

Save money and remain cozy this winter and follow my tips and tricks to weatherize your home. For more helpful blogs check out OntarioPropertyShop.com.


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Information taken from: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/g52/winterize-home-tips-energy-461008/

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