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As I set here watching the first snow shower of the season, it reminds me that I need to make sure the house is ready to contend with Old Man Winter. How about your home? Is it prepared to keep you warm and cozy during the approaching wintry months? If not, here are a few steps you can take to get through the frigid season as painlessly as possible.

Seal Those Leaks

Experts say that sealing leaks around your house is one of the most efficient ways to keep your house warmer and curb your heating expenses. Earthwork Group reports that on average, American homes have enough leaks to equal a 9-foot hole in the wall.

To find the leaks, walk around the interior of the house with a lit stick of incense. Hold it near leak prone areas around door frames, electrical outlets, recessed lighting, and window frames. If the smoke flutters, you’ve found a leak. When you locate those spots, seal them with caulk. Use weather resistant caulking to close up any gaps on the outside of your home.

Make Sure You’ve Cleaned Your Gutters

If your gutters are clogged with fallen leaves and other debris, get that junk out of there so melting snow can escape. Clean the gutters thoroughly and rinse them with a hose. If the drains are blocked by accumulated refuse, ice dams can form and cause water to back up, and then it can seep into the house. Moisture is a house’s enemy. It has the ability to cause major damage, so do what you can to prevent it entering your home.

Take Care of Your Furnace

Test the furnace to make sure it is working. When it first kicks on, you may notice an odd, dusty smell. This is normal; the odor should disappear before long. If it doesn’t, call a professional to check out the problem.

Now is a good time to get an expert furnace tune up and inspection. This will probably cost about $100-$150 dollars, but is cheaper than having your furnace repaired or replaced due to lack of maintenance. I would say do your research and find a way to get financed be it from any other that you know of, if you don’t have the cash on hand right now.

Buy and install a new furnace filter now and replace it regularly throughout the heating season. Dirty filters reduce the efficiency of your furnace, raising heating costs. In extreme cases, a dirty filter can even cause a fire. Furnace filters are affordable and easy to change. It’s definitely worth the effort.

Be Prepared for the Unexpected

Part of winterizing your home is prepping for unexpected events, like ice storms or blizzards that may cause extended power outages. Have an alternative plan for heating, such as a kerosene heater or pellet stove. Make sure you have candles, lighters, flashlights and extra batteries on hand Stock your shelves with nonperishable foods like powdered milk, peanut butter, and canned goods such as soups, vegetable, and fruits.

Don’t let Old Man Winter get the best of you. Prepare now and pay less later.

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