5 Frugal Ways to Winterize Your Home

The colder months are quickly creeping up on us! If you haven't already started to think about winterizing your home, now is the time. Taking some time to winterize your home will not only keep you warmer during the winter but will also keep your utility bills in check.

Sometimes people will avoid winterizing their home because they are afraid of the costs involved. Yes, it can be expensive but it can also be very affordable to ensure your home is winter ready!

5 Frugal Ways to Winterize Your Home

Service Your Heater – Every winter you should make it a point to have your heater serviced. Not only does this ensure your heater is in good working order but will alert you to any issues early on. There really isn't anything worse than the heater breaking down during a winter storm. If you get your heater serviced on a regular basis it will help save you on your monthly utility bill as well.

Change Your Filters – If your home has filters for your A/C & heater unit, make sure to change them every summer and winter. Once these filters get clogged up, your A/C or heater unit has to work much harder to warm up or cool down your home. Anytime your unit has to work harder, it means you are going to end up with a hefty utility bill. Filters are very inexpensive and can be picked up at Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot or any other home improvement store.

Reverse Your Fan – If you have a ceiling fan in your home, make sure to put the fan in reverse. When you put your ceiling fan in reverse it pushes the warm air down. Pushing the air down helps to keep the home warm and requires almost no electricity at all. If you are unsure of what direction reverse is on your fan, simply look at the fan blades. When the fan blades are counter-clockwise, you know that your fan is in the right direction.

Take Care of the Pipes – During the winter months it's fairly easy to end up with frozen pipes. Believe me when I say you do not want to end up with frozen pipes! Take a trip to your local home improvement store and ask for material to wrap your pipes. Make sure you are aware of where your pipes are located (basement, crawl space, etc.) as the home improvement store will ask you several questions to ensure they are setting you up properly.

Turn Down the Thermostat – Yes, I understand you are cold but turning down that thermostat can really help you save cash every month. Keeping the thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and around 62 degrees in the evening will give your heater unit a break and can easily save you up to 50% off your monthly utility bill.

*If you have some extra cash upgrading your windows, getting new insulation and upgrading your heating system can significantly save you money on your utility bills and get you winter ready!