Winterizing on a Budget

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Securing your home against winter is always a prime consideration for homeowners, no matter where you live. Regardless of the direction the cost of heating oil, propane and other fuels is heading, it makes good sense to ensure Cleaning and inspecting gutters Cleaning and inspecting gutters are a simple, low-cost way to get your home ready for winter. Credit: HouseMaster you and your family stay comfortable the entire season while protecting your investment. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be expensive. There are a surprising number of easy things you can do at minimal cost that can maximize energy savings this winter. BobVila.com has compiled a list of suggestions for budgets of $100, $250 and $500 as well as some ideas that cost nothing. $100 or Less • Basic caulk gun ($20) and four tubes of caulk ($7.50 each) to fill gaps in siding, windows and doors. For drafty windows and doors, don’t just fill the gaps on the outside, says home renovation and remodeling consultant Dean Bennett of Dean Bennett Design and Construction in Castle Rock, Colo. “Pull the molding off to fill the insulation gaps around the window jamb.” If you prefer, you can use a can of low-expansion window foam ($7 each) instead of caulk. Cost: $50 • Plastic film window insulating kit, enough for five to six windows. Cost: $20 • Weatherstripping for windows, four 17-foot rolls. Cost: $20 ($5 each) • Replacement filter for central heat and air unit. Mike Kuhn, director of technical services at HouseMaster and author of The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to Home Inspection, says it’s a must to change your furnace and air conditioning filter on a regular basis—at least every three months or more often. “Clogged filters reduce heating and cooling efficiency and can reduce the useful life of the appliance,” says Kuhn. To see how to easily replace a filter, view this How To Video.) Cost: $10 • Door threshold/sweep strip (three) to fill air leaks beneath doors. Cost: $75 ($25 each) • Door gasket (three) to fill leaks around doors. Mark Furst of Grading Spaces, a home inspection and performance analysis company in Fort Atkinson, Wis., recommends that homeowners check all exterior doors for tight-sealing gaskets. “I often see doors that only seal well when the door is slammed and then the deadbolt lock engaged,” he says, blaming the condition on worn-out gaskets, though the doors themselves are still in good shape. “Adding a sweep strip to the bottom of the door helps to block drafts,” he adds. Cost: $75 ($25 each) $250 or Less • Home energy audit from your utility company. Cost: $150 on average Most utility companies offer home energy audits to their customers. An inspector will visit your house and check the furnace and central air conditioning unit for efficiency and safety and leaks, gaps in attic and wall insulation, and the condition of your water heater and pipes. Remember, many home improvements are tax-deductible, especially where energy is concerned. • Install a programmable thermostat. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, Bennett says that a programmable thermostat will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal as you wake or return home. Cost: $35 to $100. View our How To Video on installing a programmable thermostat here. • The chimney can be the number one source of heat loss in a house. Use a Chimney Balloon to prevent drafts from flowing through your chimney and prevents heat from escaping. Cost: $55 per fireplace AND • Three rolls of fiberglass insulation rolls to pack around basement doors, windows in unused rooms or around exterior windows, doors and air conditioning units. Cost: $75 ($25/roll) TOTAL: $130

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