Check your heating system
The first thing to look at is the heating system. Whatever system you rely on, it might be wood furnaces, heating oil, or another source of heat—you don’t want it to conk out in the middle of the winter, forcing you to pay for emergency repairs. So make sure it’s in working order as the cold weather sets in.
In all cases, check your heating unit to make sure that all filters are changed and servicing is up to date. To avoid the buildup of any combustible byproducts in your home, ensure the unit is venting properly. While you’re at it, install your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Finally, servicing your furnace for winter might mean having someone come out in the fall. While paying for maintenance can be annoying, it’s better than having your heating system die and leave your family shivering.
Seal up leaks
To help out your thermostat and heating system, make sure the heat stays in. Seal up any drafts you’ll mostly find these around your windows and doors.
For windows, you can seal them up with temporary caulk or an inexpensive plastic window insulation film. While you’re looking at places where cold can enter, don’t forget your air conditioner. Remove your window units or cover them up for the season so they won’t accidentally cool the house when you want it to stay nice and warm. If this sounds like a little too much work, try a less intensive solution. You can place draft blockers at the base of windows and doors alike to cover those places where the warmth can leak out.
Tackling other drafts, like those around pipes, might take a few more tools. Go around your home and check all potential leak points. Seal around utility penetrations, lights, plumbing, open framing, spaces in the attic where heat might escape. The gaps are easier to seal up during construction of a home, but it’s really cost effective to make sure they’re blocked off now.
Take advantage of the sun
While the windows can let heat out, they also let warm sunlight in. Snead suggests that people with south-facing windows open their curtains or blinds during the day to let the sun’s light and heat ease the burden on the furnace. But after the sun goes down, don’t forget to close those drapes again, allowing the extra barrier of fabric or wood to help insulate the home.
Cover your water heater
You aren’t the only one affected by the chill it also saps energy from your hot-water heater. To prevent this, cover your heater with an insulating blanket during the winter. With this extra layer, your morning shower will warm up faster and stay hotter for a longer amount of time.
Check your pipes
If you live in an area where pipes freeze frequently, avoid a costly repair bill by checking whether your pipes are insulated against the cold. In addition, avoid burst pipes by keeping the heat on inside the house (at a low setting), even when you’re not there.
For outside pipes, like sprinklers, call a service company and ask them to drain the system of water before the first big freeze. While you’re preparing your home’s exterior, clean your gutters to free them of leaves and debris. This will prevent ice dams from forming and help get rid of heavy snow on your roof.
Fan yourself
And last but not least, ceiling fans keep you cool in the summer—but they can also help you stay warm in the winter. Simply reverse the direction in which the fan turns, from counterclockwise in the summer to clockwise in the winter. When it spins clockwise, instead of blowing cool air around the room, a fan can draw frigid air up to the ceiling and push heated air down towards you and your family.
Some of these winterization techniques might cost money up front. But in the long term, being energy efficient could help you cut down on heating costs. And ultimately, you’ll be glad to have a safe and cozy home all winter long.
Source: https://www.popsci.com/stay-warm-winterize-your-house