After a very mild autumn season, the Chicago area has seen its coldest December start in 5 years. It’s not too late to do some winterizing around the house, and it could bring you big winter savings.
There are many benefits to keeping the cold, dry air out of your home, and the warm air in. We all know what it feels like to get that shockingly high heating bill; it’s not a good feeling. Winterizing your home saves money, it keeps you warmer, and it protects your home from the harsh, dry winter air.
It’s not too late to reap the benefits from weatherizing your home. Here are some of the quickest, easiest ways to keep the cold winter air out… These are the top three, low-cost solutions that will bring you significant winter savings:
1. Seal your windows
First off, be sure you haven’t forgotten to lower (or install) your storm-windows. Storm-windows will provide a good primary wind and weather seal. Obviously, having your screens so you very little good in the winter. Next, pick up some rope caulk and plastic sheeting (the shrink-tight kind) to seal off any old, drafty windows and sliding-glass doors. Having properly sealed windows in winter can make a dramatic difference in the amount of time your furnace runs.
2. Seal drafty doors
Add weather stripping around the your front, back, and garage doors. Having properly sealed doors will give you noticeably more warmth and savings. You can also lay a draft stopper across the bottom seal of your door (on the interior). A draft stopper looks like an elongated bean-bag that you simply lay across the bottom of your door when it is closed. They make them in many styles and colors to fit the decor of your home. You can find them at just about any home improvement center around.
3. Add insulation to your attic
If your attic is not properly or sufficiently insulated, you will feel it. If the upstairs rooms in your house always feel cold, it is quite possible that you are rapidly losing heat through the roof of your home. You can usually add ample insulation to an attic for less than your average monthly winter heating bill and doing so will save you money for years to come. Be sure the insulation is properly installed and not compressed. Compressing insulation will lower its “R” rating and provide less benefits.
I highly recommend taking the small amount of time and money to perform these basic home winterizing tips. I can tell you first-hand that it does make for a significant savings in your home heating bill. Stay warm!