Many homeowners hear the weatherman say it’s time to winterize the house, but they’re not even sure what that means.
Winterizing a home means making it energy efficient — keeping cold air out and warm air in. Here’s a crash course on how to do that!
Outside the Home
- Look for gaps around windows and doors, hose bibs, gas pipes and dryer vents. Seal big gaps with expandable foam; seal other gaps with caulk — use a color that matches your home so there’s no need for touch-up paint.
- Use hose bib, or faucet, covers to insulate exposed water lines. They’re affordable, easy to install and ensure there’s no freeze damage whatsoever.
- Turn off water to sprinkler systems and use a wet-dry vacuum to suck out any leftover water from each zone of your irrigation system.
Heating Your Home
- To save the most money, set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit
- Install a programmable thermostat that adapts to your lifestyle and saves you money
Watch the full segment, featured on The Weather Channel’s “AMHQ,” above to learn more!
I got a duplex that was built in 1906. It has an amazingly good concrete foundation and from there up its wood. I am having bear of a time sealing the rough wood boards directly on the concrete. On the outside, I had two layers of insulation under the siding. We have a rap around concrete porch and all the way around where the siding meets the concrete, I’m worried about air leeks. Around the rest of the house, I also worry and in this case know air is leaking into the house. The concrete foundation is two feel off the ground and the siding starts.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank You
Hi, Philip,
Thanks for your question! We have forwarded it to the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show’s producer.
He will contact you soon to discuss featuring it during an upcoming show.
Take care!