When the temperatures drop, the thermostats in many northeast Ohio homes start to get cranked up. However, if over the past few winters you’ve noticed your utility bills getting more and more outrageous, or that there’s certain areas of your home that never seem to get warm enough, there are a few things you can do before winter rears its ugly head to ensure you’re ready for the cold months ahead.

How to Winterize Your Home

Ensure your family’s comfort this winter and save on your energy bills. Here are a few of the best ways to winterize your home this season:

• Schedule a furnace tune-up. Before the first snowstorm hits, make an appointment for your annual furnace maintenance check. The last thing you want is to be stuck inside during a blizzard and have your furnace fail on you. The technician will inspect all the components and your thermostat, lubricate motors and bearings, tighten up electrical connections and more. Also, make sure you use the change in seasons as a reminder to change your furnace filter!
• Weatherproof your plumbing. The harsh winter weather and frigid temperatures can easily cause pipes to freeze, and when they thaw you’ll have a real mess on your hands as they burst. Shut off the supply to any outside water lines and drain them. You can also cover outside spigots with insulated coverings to further protect them from the elements.
• Swap out the screen door. Simply installing a storm door over the winter can decrease your energy bills by up to 45 percent. Storm doors help seal up drafts and reducing the flow of cold air into your home. Just make sure to look for energy-efficient models.
• Cover the windows with plastic. Window insulation kits are fairly inexpensive, and once you’ve properly installed it you can barely even tell it’s there. These kits provide a good barrier against those drafty winds that creep in through those old windows. Speaking of old windows, you might want to consider starting to save your money to upgrade to new, more efficient windows in time for next winter.
• Install weather-stripping and/or caulking. Even those small leaks in your windows, doors or any other tiny cracks can increase your energy bills from five to 30 percent every year. Carefully inspect the areas around the windows, doors and foundation, then install weather-stripping or caulk up any cracks to keep those drafts outside.
• Check your insulation. Over time, the insulation in your home starts to deteriorate and become less effective. Head up to the attic and inspect your current insulation situation, adding more material as needed. You should also consider adding insulation to your crawl spaces, too.

Do you need to schedule annual furnace maintenance before the winter truly sets in? The team at Efficient Heating and Cooling is ready to help! If you’re in the greater Cleveland area, contact our team today! Or, give us a call at 216-663-6462.