Winterize Your Home Checklist

Make sure your home is safeguarded against subfreezing temperatures. Our checklist will help you ensure you’re prepared.

Checklist

1. Protect Your Pipes Depending on the region of the United States you're in, you'll need to protect your pipes from bursting this winter. Frozen Pipes: Prevention and Repair Shop Pipe Insulation

2. Time to Weatherproof Weatherstripping or intalling storm doors and windows will prevent cold air from entering your home or heat from escaping it, which will reduce your power bills. Install a Storm Door Install a Door Sweep Weatherstrip Your Doors Weatherstrip Your Windows Shop Door Sweeps Shop Weatherstripping

3. Check your Fireplace Animal nests or creosote buildup in your fireplace can be hazardous. Have an annual inspection before building your first fire of the season. Clean Your Fireplace Shop Fireplaces and Stoves

4. Block the Cold Caulk around windows and use foam outlet protectors to prevent cold air from entering your home. However, the majority of heat loss typically occurs via openings in the attic. Check to make sure that you have enough insulation. Caulk Buying Guide How To Caulk Insulaton Buying Guide Install Insulation Shop Caulk Shop Insulation and Accessories

5. Change Your Thermostat Have you switched out your thermostat to a programmable version? If not, add this one to your list. A programmable thermostat lets you customize your heating so the system doesn't run when you don't need it. You can program the thermostat for one temperature when you're at home and another when you're away. Install a Programmable Thermostat Shop Programmable Thermostats

6. Protect Your Plants You'll need to bring plants and flowering trees inside before the first cold snap. Typically, you should bring your plants in before temperatures dip below 45 degrees. Winterize Your Garden Understanding Frost and Freeze Dates Shop Plant Protection

7. Bring in the Outdoors Cold temperatures, snow and ice can damage outdoor furniture and grills. If possible, store them in the garage or basement. If you have a gas grill with a propane tank, close the tank valve and disconnect the tank first. It must be stored outside. If you don't have storage space for your items, purchase covers to protect them from the elements. You also need to maintain your grill and cover it before putting it away for the season. Clean and Maintain Your Grill Shop Grill Covers Shop Outdoor Furniture Covers

8. Maintain your Outdoor Equipment Outdoor power equipment such as mowers and string trimmers need to be cleaned and maintained prior to storing them. If you have a snow blower, it's time to inspect it before the first snowfall to ensure it's working properly. This is also a good time to stock up on ice melt. Why Own a Generator Caring for Outdoor Power Equipment Shop Outdoor Power Equipment Shop Ice Melt

9. Save on Your Energy Bills Call your local power company to see if they conduct energy saving assessments. It's often a free service in which a representative will identify specific changes to make your home more energy efficient and save you money. In additon to the suggestions above, LED light bulbs and hot water heater blankets can also make a difference. Shop LED Light Bulbs Shop Water Heater Blankets