With every season comes drastic changes in temperature, summer is scorching hot and winters are freezing.  There is a way that you can winterize your home in order to stay warmer and minimize your heating bill this winter.  It’s simple and easy to do and you can enjoy the warmth all winter long.

When you see the leaves fall from the trees and the bright colors of autumn take over the scenery it is time to start preparing for winter.  You know that your heating bill is outrageous and you vow to cut the cost this year.  How do you do that? It’s easy but you need to give a little time to prepare.  The first thing you will need to do is to start with the basics.

Your Furnace is going to be providing you heat during the coldest night and while the snow is falling you want to be able to turn the switch on to enjoy the warmth.  The last thing you need is for the furnace to go out on you when you need it the most.  When fall starts to cool down the days you will need to check out your furnace.  If your furnace needs filters, go out and stock up on filters.   These filters keeps your furnace running smooth and without problems.  With a clogged up filter, your furnace may run more often costing you a higher heating bill.

If you have a fireplace, get it cleaned out and start to stack the wood where you can reach it conveniently even when it is pouring the snow.  You will also need to keep the wood covered so it will stay dry.  Save back a few newspapers and stock up on matches to start the fire.  Check your fire extinguisher to make sure that it is properly working incase the fire gets out of hand.  Check to make sure that the chimney is free of soot and no birds have built a nest in there.  Make sure the damper is working correctly.  When you use your fireplace, you will feel good about the way you helped prepare for the winter.  You never know when the power will go out and you may need to rely on your fireplace for the only heat source.

During the winter it is always a good idea to make sure all your smoke detectors work.  When you start a fire or when you go to sleep at night you want to be warned if there is danger of fire or Carbon Monoxide poisoning.  Check the ones you have and replace the batteries.

Doors and windows can let a lot of warmth out if they are not protected.  Inspect the windows and doors for cracks that may not have been there last year.  Seal any cracks that you find.  Try weather stripping around your doors to stop the cold air.  You may want to make or purchase a door stopper that sits in front of your door and covers the crack between the bottom of the door and the floor.  These door stoppers save a lot of money on heat every year.  Windows may need resealed by using caulk.  Put down the winter glass to protect the home inside from the cold winds that blow.

Protect your plumbing from busting under cold temperatures.  Insulate all pipes that run under the house or above ground if you do not already have them protected.  Wrap them with heating tape or double the insulation so your water will not freeze.

There are several different ways to protect your home from the cold of winter.  Choosing to take care of it in the fall will prevent any damage to the home in the winter.  You will be snug and warm with no worries.