Indoor Home Winterizing

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Winterizing the interior of your home can not only save you hassle later in the winter, but will save you money over the season. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure that you and your family stay warm during the cold months in Green Bay.

Furnace

Your furnace is what keeps your home warm during winter, so it is important to do some regular maintenance. Simple steps such as changing you filter and checking that the fan is lubricated and running smoothly will ensure you a cozy home all season long. This applies to both new and older model furnaces.

Windows

Drafty windows can cause you chills in the wintertime. The first thing you should check is the seal around your window casings. Old or cracked caulk can let air leak in. Begin by using a stiff-blade putty knife to scrape off any old caulk or peeling paint from around the exterior perimeter of the window. Using warm soapy water, clean the area to be caulked. Next, reapply caulk being sure to use an exterior-grade caulk. Either 100% silicone sealant or a “siliconized” acrylic caulk work best.

Moving to the interior of your windows, using window insulating kits is easy and money saving. These kits block cold air by sealing the entire window behind a large sheet of shrink-wrap plastic. The plastic adheres to the interior window casing with double-sided tape; you then use a blow dryer to seal it in place. Window insulation kits are very effective at sealing out drafts and can be easily removed when spring weather arrives.

Weatherstripping

Sealing gaps around your doors that are leaking air is another step to take to ensure your family keeps warm. Depending on the type of doors and windows your home has, you have many options for weatherstripping. Check for any air leaks around your doors or windows, and then purchase and install the weatherstripping that has the properties that best fit your needs. Kits are available at most local hardware stores and are easily installable. Be sure to wipe clean and dry the surface you will be weatherstripping before installing the insulation. Also, an easy and visual way to identify where air is seeping into your home is to take a lit incense, or a cigarette if you smoke, and put it in front of your doors and windows. If the smoke is blown sideways, rather than going straight up, you know air is coming in. 

So there you go, a few tips that almost anyone can do. Keeping your home winter ready will not only save you money, but will ensure that you and your family stay warm for the cold winter months.