Is it too late to protect your home from freezing temperatures — and from soaring energy bills? Not at all. Anything you can do at any point this winter would be worth your time. The stakes are high. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has predicted the winter of 2022-2023 will be “colder than normal” for much of the United States. No one, with the possible exception of a meteorology student, enjoys seeing weather phrases like “polar vortex” or “bomb cyclone.” Your second motivator is heating cost. When you factor in the American consumer’s spike in energy bills — during the winter of 2022-2023, natural gas household costs are expected to rise by 28% and heating oil by 27% compared to a year ago — doing everything possible to winterize your house becomes a no-brainer.
Read on to learn some easy, affordable tips for winterizing a home as well as more substantial steps you can take to protect your house — and how to pay for improvements large and small.Here are eight tweaks that you can do right now to keep you warm through the winter and help drive down your energy costs. Caulking and weatherstripping are two “simple and effective techniques” for reducing the amount of air that leaks in and out of your home, says the U.S. Department of Energy. Some of our tips do require caulking or weatherstripping. All are doable on your own. The recommended fixes can cost you anywhere from $20 to $5. Some tips are free.
Image Credit: Jevtic / iStock.
1. Eliminate Door Drafts
______________________
SPONSORED: Find a Qualified Financial Advisor
1. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to 3 fiduciary financial advisors in your area in 5 minutes.
2. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. If you're ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals get started now.
______________________
A big energy saver: Place a draft stopper along the bottom of exterior-facing doors. These are long, thick tubes of fabric, sometimes filled with insulation, that block windy drafts from seeping in. Draft stoppers can be purchased for as little as $10. And you can make a different move for free by placing a rolled towel at the bottom of the door.
Image Credit: Andrii Iemelyanenko / iStock.
2. Clear Your Gutters
If you haven’t done it already, clear the leaves from the gutters running along your roof. You need to make sure that water can flow freely through your gutters — it will help prevent damaging icicles and ice dams from forming.
Image Credit: ehrlif /iStock.
3. Insulate Your Windows
Window insulation film might not look beautiful, but it can keep up to 70% of heat from leaking out of the windows. Most kits cost less than $20 and are simple to install. Stick the clear sheets to the window frame with the enclosed double-sided tape. Next, pull the material tight. Some people like to use a blow dryer to heat-shrink and make it super tight.
Image Credit: Lex20 / iStock.
4. Weather Strip Windows and Doors
Another fix for your windows — and doors — is installing weather stripping. Low-cost rubber strips are either self-adhesive or have a tacky backing. Cut the strip and attach it to the underside of windows, around window panes, or door jambs. (You may decide that one or more windows have problems too big for DIT weatherproofing. Before next winter, you could consider window replacement.)
Image Credit: Monique Shaw/ iStock.
5. Change the Filter on your Heating System
To winterize your home, you should regularly change the filters in your heating systems (and later your central air systems) to improve their efficiency. A $20 pack of filters is well worth extending their lives.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
6. Close Off Your Fireplace
Fireplaces are cool air’s favorite route inside your home. When you aren’t using your fireplace, keep the damper closed to keep warm air from escaping. You may also want to caulk around the hearth to seal up any leaks. (And before next winter, have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned.)
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
7. Seal Your Outlets
Look for electrical outlets or wall plates located on an exterior-facing wall. Seal them with foam insulation covers (also called insulation gaskets). These are thin pieces of foam shaped to fit wall switches and outlets with the holes cut out. Remove the outlet or wall plate, place the foam underneath and put the cover back on. Packs of seven covers usually cost less than $5 each.
Image Credit: Steven White / istockphoto.
8. Redirect Your Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans aren’t just a summer budget-saver. Change your ceiling fan’s direction so that it moves in a clockwise direction. That way, it will push hot air that exists along the ceiling toward the floor. If they’re going counterclockwise, they won’t be as effective.
Image Credit: Antonio_Diaz / istockphoto.
Four Larger Moves to Make in Home Winterizing
Winterizing a home isn’t only about shaving money off your heating bill. Taking protective measures will not only prevent truly ruinous disasters caused by harsh weather but also increase the value of the house. Both are worthy goals.
These four steps either require spending more than $50 or hiring a professional — or both.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
1. Install a New Thermostat
Some home experts say that there are few home improvements that offer yearly energy savings like a new thermostat installation. Replacing your old thermostat with a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat can make a difference with your energy bill.
It’s possible to install a new thermostat yourself, but you must know how to handle wiring. The thermostat itself isn’t expensive. The average cost of an electrician installing a thermostat is between $100 and $400. Most homeowners spend around $250 to install a programmable thermostat with Wi-Fi, including labor.
Image Credit: monkeybusinessimages/ iStock.
2. Insulate the Attic
If you have an older home, you may have already noticed that the heat generated by your heating system seems to vanish. Hot air rises, and your furnace could be pumping out heat that heads for an under-insulated attic layer and seeps out the roof.
Installing insulation is best left to the professionals but can be done carefully by a homeowner with experience. (Attic insulation costs an average of $2,500.) The Department of Energy has an excellent website for planning a thorough attic insulation project.
Image Credit: brizmaker / istockphoto.
3. Repair the Roof
Missing, damaged, and loose shingles can expose a home to roof leaks and serious water damage if not fixed before winter. Water will seep underneath and make its way into your home. If any shingles are loose, strong winter winds can blow them away.
If you have a few damaged shingles and they’re easy to reach, you may be able to take care of this yourself. But if it’s more than that, it’s a better — and safer — idea to hire a professional roofer. Roof financing is a serious matter. It can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,500 to have your roof repaired and winterized, depending on house size, amount of damage, and type of materials.
Image Credit: ablokhin/istockphoto.
4. Protect Your Pipes
There are few things more stressful than burst pipes in the winter. You can put a checklist into action whenever the temperature plunges (don’t let the thermostat go too low, keep a little bit of water running all night, open cabinet doors under the sink), but professionals can help prevent pipes from freezing, and worse, bursting. They do this by installing heat cabling, sealing, and insulating the water heater and pipes. Costs vary. Just insulating the water pipes could cost as much as $1,000.
Image Credit: Besjunior/ iStock.
How to Finance Winterizing Your Home
Any home renovation project requires a budget. When you’re figuring out how to winterize a house, decide your priorities.The Department of Energy offers some financial aid programs, especially if the result will make your home more energy efficient. If you don’t qualify for aid, but you don’t have cash set aside to pay for home improvement projects, you could consider a personal loan.
Government Programs to Increase Energy Efficiency
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. WAP is administered at the state and local levels. To determine eligibility and how to apply for the program, look at WAP’s eligibility web page. To apply directly for weatherization assistance, contact your state weatherization agency.
Personal Loan for Home Improvements
Since you can obtain a personal loan for any reason you wish, winterizing a home falls within the parameters. In fact, common purposes for personal loans are home repairs, unexpected bills, and debt consolidation. Personal loans typically range from $1,000 to $50,000. To better your chances of being approved
https://lanterncredit.com/personal-loans/personal-loan-tips
, you should know your credit score, be ready to show proof of income, and be prepared to show collateral.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
The Takeaway
It’s never too late to make quick and easy winterizing fixes, from eliminating door drafts to changing the filter on your heating system. More ambitious measures can ensure that heat doesn’t escape next winter and your pipes don’t freeze or burst. These steps will protect the value of your house too.
Learn More:
This article originally appeared on SoFi.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
SoFi receives compensation in the event you obtain a loan, financial product, or service through the Lantern marketplace. This Lantern website is owned by SoFi Lending Corp., a lender licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the California Financing Law, license number 6054612; NMLS number 1121636. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). This site is NOT owned and operated by SoFi Bank. Loans, financial products, and services may not be available in all states.All rates, fees, and terms are presented without guarantee and are subject to change pursuant to each provider’s discretion. There is no guarantee you will be approved or qualify for the advertised rates, fees, or terms presented. The actual terms you may receive depends on the things like benefits requested, your credit score, usage, history and other factors.*Check your rate: To check the rates and terms you may qualify for, Lantern and/or its network lenders conducts a soft credit pull that will not affect your credit score. However, if you choose a product and continue your application, the lender(s) you choose will request your full credit report from one or more consumer reporting agencies, which is considered a hard credit pull and may affect your credit.All loan terms, including interest rate, and Annual Percentage Rate (APR), and monthly payments shown on this website are from lenders and are estimates based upon the limited information you provided and are for information purposes only. Estimated APR includes all applicable fees as required under the Truth in Lending Act. The actual loan terms you receive, including APR, will depend on the lender you select, their underwriting criteria, and your personal financial factors. The loan terms and rates presented are provided by the lenders and not by SoFi Lending Corp. or Lantern. Please review each lender’s Terms and Conditions for additional details.Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website on credit (https://consumer.ftc.gov/credit-loans-debt)Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Personal LoanSoFi Lending Corp. (“SoFi”) operates this Personal Loan product in cooperation with Even Financial Corp. (“Even”). If you submit a loan inquiry, SoFi will deliver your information to Even, and Even will deliver to its network of lenders/partners to review to determine if you are eligible for pre-qualified or pre-approved offers. The lenders/partners receiving your information will also obtain your credit information from a credit reporting agency. If you meet one or more lender’s and/or partner’s conditions for eligibility, pre-qualified and pre-approved offers from one or more lenders/partners will be presented to you here on the Lantern website. More information about Even, the process, and its lenders/partners is described on the loan inquiry form you will reach by visiting our Personal Loans page as well as our Student Loan Refinance page. Click to learn more about Even’s Licenses and Disclosures, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.Personal loan offers provided to customers on Lantern do not exceed 35.99% APR. An example of total amount paid on a personal loan of $10,000 for a term of 36 months at a rate of 10% would be equivalent to $11,616.12 over the 36 month life of the loan.
Student Loan RefinanceSoFi Lending Corp. (“SoFi”) operates this Student Loan Refinance product in cooperation with Even Financial Corp. (“Even”). If you submit a loan inquiry, SoFi will deliver your information to Even, and Even will deliver to its network of lenders/partners to review to determine if you are eligible for pre-qualified or pre-approved offers. The lender’s receiving your information will also obtain your credit information from a credit reporting agency. If you meet one or more lender’s and/or partner’s conditions for eligibility, pre-qualified and pre-approved offers from one or more lenders/partners will be presented to you here on the Lantern website. More information about Even, the process, and its lenders/partners is described on the loan inquiry form you will reach by visiting our Personal Loans page as well as our Student Loan Refinance page. Click to learn more about Even’s Licenses and Disclosures, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO REFINANCE FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS ANNOUNCED $20,000 OF STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR QUALIFYING PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS AND $10,000 FOR QUALIFYING BORROWERS WHOSE STUDENT LOANS ARE FEDERALLY HELD. ADDITIONALLY, THE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT PAUSE AND INTEREST HOLIDAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED BEYOND DEC. 31, 2022. PLEASE CAREFULLY CONSIDER THESE CHANGES BEFORE REFINANCING FEDERALLY HELD LOANS, SINCE THE AMOUNT OR PORTION OF YOUR FEDERAL STUDENT DEBT THAT YOU REFINANCE WILL NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR THE FEDERAL LOAN PAYMENT SUSPENSION, INTEREST WAIVER, OR ANY OTHER CURRENT OR FUTURE BENEFITS APPLICABLE TO FEDERAL LOANS.IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AND STILL WISH TO REFINANCE, LEAVE UNREFINANCED THE AMOUNT YOU EXPECT TO BE FORGIVEN TO RECEIVE YOUR FEDERAL BENEFIT. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.Notice: Private student loans do not have the same repayment options that the federal loan program offers such as Income-Driven Repayment plans, including Income-Contingent Repayment or PAYE.
Auto Loan RefinanceAutomobile refinancing loan information presented on this Lantern website is from Caribou, AUTOPAY, Even Financial, and each of Even Financial’s partners (along with their affiliated companies). Caribou, AUTOPAY, and Even pay SoFi compensation for marketing their products and services on the Lantern site. Auto loan refinance information presented on this Lantern site is indicative and subject to you fulfilling the lender’s requirements, including but not limited to: credit standards, loan size, vehicle condition, and odometer reading. Loan rates and terms as presented on this Lantern site are subject to change when you reach the lender and may depend on your creditworthiness, consult with the lender for more details. Additional terms and conditions may apply and all terms may vary by your state of residence.
Secured Lending DisclosureTerms, conditions, state restrictions, and minimum loan amounts apply. Before you apply for a secured loan, we encourage you to carefully consider whether this loan type is the right choice for you. If you can’t make your payments on a secured personal loan, you could end up losing the assets you provided for collateral. Not all applicants will qualify for larger loan amounts or most favorable loan terms. Loan approval and actual loan terms depend on the ability to meet underwriting requirements (including, but not limited to, a responsible credit history, sufficient income after monthly expenses, and availability of collateral) that will vary by lender.
BankingSoFi Lending Corp. (“SoFi”) operates this website in cooperation with Even Financial Corp. (“Even”) presenting promotions for products and services offered by other banks, lenders, and financial institutions. If you select a promotion above, you will be connected to the website of the company offering the product. The promotions presented on this site are from companies that pay SoFi and Even Financial compensation for marketing their products and services. This may affect whether a provider is featured on this site and could affect the order of presentation. Lantern and Even do not include all providers in the market or all of their available offerings. Click to learn more about Even’s Licenses and Disclosures, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
More from MediaFeed
How to find the best contractor for your home project
Image Credit: JackF/iStock.
