Winterizing Your Home
Winterizing your home can save you a great deal in energy costs. Home owners that take the time to winterize their homes enjoy the benefits of staying warmer during the winter months with a decreased energy bill. Did you know that winterizing your home can also protect your home from potential damage? This means that the time and money you spend in the process is more than saved when you do not have to make repairs that result from winter temperatures.
Freezing pipes is a common problem in many areas. The problem is that often when pipes freeze they are weakened or can even burst. Some pipes will form a small split or tear that you may not notice for months. Frozen pipes have to be repaired or completely replaced and water bills can sky rocket. One step for winterizing your home is to protect your pipes. Make certain that a good layer of insulation is wrapped around all exposed pipes in your crawl space. Additionally, wrap the pipes under the faucets inside your home.
Add storm windows to your home. If your budget is tight, you can apply a thin, clear layer of polyurethane covering over the outside of each of your windows. This will help to insulate your home and protect it from cold weather. Some people remove these in the warmer months and others keep them in replacement of storm windows.
Door and window seals can be a major leak in your home. Check the seals for all entrances and for all windows. Any that are wearing or have damage should be replaced. Run your hand along the edges of the doors and windows to feel for any drafts. If you feel drafts, the seals should be replaced.