Winterize Your Home: 5 Tips and Tricks!

Every year us Minnesotans go through the same thought process – “how should I be preparing my home for the winter?”. In fact, winterizing your most valuable asset is a key part in preventing major headaches and major expenditures down the road. So instead of waiting for something to go wrong, check out these tips and trick on how to prepare your house for those subzero days we know are coming!

1.     Clean Your Gutters

·     It is essential that water flows freely through your gutters without being impeded by leaves, sticks, the neighbors’ kids baseball, etc. If water is not able to escape it will create ice dams and icicles that can not only be a strain on the roof and gutters, but also be hazards for anything below.

2.     Flush the Water Heater

·     The last thing you want when it’s 0 degrees is for your heater to begin malfunctioning. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct a full flush of the water heater before the cold sets in. Over time sediment can collect in the bottom of the heater, which can in turn hinder the unit’s efficiency. Avoid this by simply flushing the water out through the drain valve once each year before the snow starts to fall!

3.     Programmable Thermostat

·     No one likes wasting money, but that’s exactly what happens when we keep our home at the same temperature when we’re not around. A good programmable thermostat can cost well under $100 dollars and can be set up in less than an hour. There are even some thermostats that will heat your home based on when energy prices are lowest!

4.     Draft Guards

·     Draft guards are a great way to keep the heat in, and the cold out. Doors can be major sources of heat loss in homes, but this can be easily minimized with a draft guard. Simply slide it on to the bottom of your door and voilà, you’re staying warm and saving money!

5.     Weatherstrip Tape

·     Windows are another common source of drafts and air leaks. Luckily with just a $5 roll of weatherstrip tape you can ensure each of your windows is sealed tight. Simply purchase a roll that’s the same color as your window trim and no one will even know it’s there!