Tips for Winterizing a Home?

[tater03]

So I was wondering for those who live in colder areas what tips you all have for winterizing your home to cut down on your heating bill? Thanks

[Sally]

First you need to identify your biggest leak problems and what is fixable. Usually windows are the worst, and then doors. For doors, you can buy foam insulating strips that go in the jamb. And you can fold a towel, or make a draft stopper for the bottom of the door. Windows should be double paned (cuts down energy consumption year round), and if they are still leaky you can use a foam tape at the seams. Heavy curtains will also cut down on leaking.

[treehugger]

If you can't afford to replace windows, the plastic shrink film works very well and isn't expensive. We do that on all the older windows at our house. Add insulation to the flloor (for rooms over unheated spaces) and add rugs to help hold the heat in. Put ceiling fans in reverse to keep the heat in your space instead of leaking out through the attic or roof. Keep all vents and heat surfaces clean and maintained; keep the furnace filter clean. Use the oven more during the winter to cook so you add heat to the house to kill two birds with one stone. There are foam insulating pads you can put behind light switch and plug fixtures. That helps stop many smaller leaks that you may not be aware of.

[chary]

treehugger I have the window issue too and our house is 30+ years old. We really don't want to replace them as we cant afford it right now, but the shrink wrap works good and helps to keep things warmer. We also have little things that I have no idea what their called but along the lines of what Sally said as the air drifts under the doors. I have heard a couple names but right now we use the twin door draft stoppers (both sides are held up for cold/warm air). I always knew them as snakes.

[Green-Moo]

I have bubble wrap taped across a couple of windows, with a curtain across to hide it. The difference it makes is amazing.

[Kitten]

Definitely find those leaky windows and cover them. When we lived in a larger house, we also blocked out rooms we didn't really use and didn't bother to heat them.

[berlinlife06]

I live in a samll apartment, and can't change the windows because they are the ones for the whole building, so I can't really change the model. But this summer I will be changing all the strips and isolation they have and putting them new. I also turn the heater way down during the night. So far I have seen some good results.

[Green-Moo]

Even something as simple as putting a home made 'sausage' in front of the door will cut down on draughts and prevent heat loss.