5 ways to insulate your home

Investing in a few home maintenance projects now can help keep your costs down when the cold weather hits. Not only can you reduce your heating costs, but you can also avoid unexpected emergency repairs later.

“There are a lot of things you can do for free,” says Ethan O’Donnell, associate editor of FamilyHandyman.com, a website about home improvement projects.

This includes relatively simple steps such as cleaning the gutters and cleaning the air filters in the HVAC system.

There are also bigger investments that can pay off in the long run, like insulating your attic or buying a more energy-efficient water heater. According to Angi, a website that helps homeowners find service providers, US households spent an average of $2,458 on home maintenance in 2023.

Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi, suggests starting by walking around windows and doors with a candle.

“If the flames are flickering, add some weathering,” she says.

O’Donnell says keeping warm by adding insulation and sealing any drafts can be much cheaper than screwing up the thermostat.

“Pay attention to the windows, doors and attic. If you have drafts, put Draft Busters on the door and insulate,” he suggests.

Weather stripping and caulking can also help close any gaps in windows and exterior doors.

Opening the curtains on south-facing windows can help warm the room when the sun is shining, especially if you close them at night to keep the heat in. Using a programmable thermostat that keeps the air warmer when you’re at home but automatically lowers the temperature when you’re away can also help reduce waste, adds O’Donnell.

O’Donnell tries to bundle up with a blanket and sweater in his basement office rather than leave the heater on all day, which he estimates costs about $50 a month to run for eight hours a day.

Hicks recommends having your HVAC system professionally serviced once a year to extend its life and keep it running efficiently. Angi reports that the average cost of an HVAC system inspection is $250.

Cleaning or replacing filters in heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems also helps improve their efficiency, says Paul Hope, deputy managing editor of Consumer Reports.

If your system needs to be replaced soon, Hope recommends doing your research tax credits at the federal and state level before making a purchase.

“There are many different incentives,” he adds.

Ice and snow can create additional problems in the winter, so O’Donnell recommends clearing gutters before snow falls. Otherwise, ice can get stuck in gutters or under shingles and refreeze, causing leaks.

According to Angie, most drain cleaners cost between $119 and $234. That’s far less than the cost of repairs after a major leak, Hope says.

“These things are a million times easier to deal with now,” he says.

He also suggests walking around your home to spot any tree limbs that could fall during a storm, causing further damage.

Since many homeowners use holiday lights and outdoor decorations, it may be worth exploring energy efficiency strategies.

Mark Fagin, founder and CEO of PowerSetter, a digital energy benchmarking platform, suggests using timers to make sure lights and inflatables are on only from dusk to bedtime, for example.

He also turned to solar-powered holiday inflatables to further reduce energy consumption.

“Solar-powered air pumps inflate and ignite without drawing from your grid,” he says.

Unexpected expenses can still arise even when you prepare. This might make it a good idea to put it off emergency funds for winter home repairs as well as extra cash to help you get through a long power outage.

“People associate blackouts with electricity hurricane seasonbut most of them are in winter. Especially in parts of the country with older infrastructure, it’s not uncommon to experience long power outages,” says Hope.

He suggests making sure you have batteries on hand, backup battery packs that allow you to charge your electronics with power reserves, medicine and flashlights. You can also fill bathtubs and sinks with water to wash your hands before heavy storms. Such preparation can be critical.