by hailey

Created on: January 05, 2010   Last Updated: January 06, 2010

Whether you live in the north or south, at some time or another you'll need to winterize your home to one extreme or another. Here are some easy (and fairly inexpensive) ways to keep the cold out of your home this winter.

Windows - Cost: Aprox. 20-30 dollars for an average home, depending on location.

Grab a caulking gun and walk around yoru home checking your windows. If you feel any windows that have a leak of air, simply caulk them, making sure that wherever the caulk is placed, it will not interfere with opening or closing it in the spring. After you have done this and the caulk is dried, grab a winterizing window kit. You can pick these up at most any store in packages of 1-3, depending on the size of the window. Follow the simple instructions on the back of the package and your windows are done!

Doors - Cost: Aprox. 20 dollars for an average home, depending on location.

Check all your doors, making sure that the weather striping is in good condition and not allowing any air in. If any areas are flaking or in bad condition, have it replaced. For the interior doors to bathrooms and bedrooms, you can make easy "door cozies" for the bottom. This will help keep the rooms heated.

Furnace - Cost: Aprox. 300 dollars for an average home (this price includes the cleaning of all ducts through out entire house, furnace, filter change and carbon monoxide check for safety).

Have your home's furnace cleaned and checked by a professional. Be sure they check all the filters and verify there are no leaks in the system.

Water Heater - Cost: Aprox. 45 dollars, assuming all supplies (tape measure, gloves, cleaner ect.) are needed.

Have your water heater and the pipes surrounding it wrapped with an insulating blanket.

Fireplace - Cost: Free.

Make sure your fireplace vents are closed. This is a free option that many people never consider doing, but can help cut bills quickly and easily. Consider that when its open, you're allowing for a clear straight vent right to the outside.

These 5 things will help in winterizing your home and save you an immense amount of money on heating bills. Other small things: keeping blinds open on sunny days will heat your home naturally; keeping snow and ice away from your house will raise the temp in your home. You can do all of the above for under 500 dollars, and some you can save all year round.

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