#winterization tips

This week, the US got an early taste of winter, as very cold temperatures swept across the country. Homeowners should take this as a sign that it’s time to start getting ready for winter now. There are several things that homeowners need to keep in mind as they prepare their homes for the winter months. Here’s a few things to get you started.

Home energy audit

Winter can be an expensive time of year when it comes to energy bills. Heating costs can skyrocket, especially when all the heat you’re paying for is seeping out of your home. Since you probably don’t want to pay to heat the outdoors, you can consider having a home energy audit performed. In a home energy audit, inspectors look at a variety of factors to determine how you can reduce energy costs.

Insulation

While energy saving appliances, solar panels, and other methods can save you money on bills, they pale in comparison to the amount you can save by improving your insulation. If you’ve got poor insulation and gaps in your windows and doorways, you’re going to have a hard time keeping your house warm in the winter. If your heating costs are higher than they should be, consider investing in new and improved insulation for your home. You might also consider replacing doors and windows with more energy efficient ones.

Roof inspection

Don’t get so preoccupied with your insulation that you forget the other ways heat is escaping your home. Gaps in your roof can also cost you a lot of money in the winter. Make sure you inspect your roof each year before winter to look for any potential problems. You can use a pair of binoculars to inspect your roof from the ground. If you live in a two story home, you can observe parts of your roof from second story windows. You should also go up into your attic space and inspect the underside of your roof. For a really thorough roof inspection, hire a roofing company rather than getting up on your roof yourself. If there are any damaged or missing shingles, or gaps where your chimney and vents are, roofers can fix these problems and help get your roof ready for winter.

Of course, all of these things will cost money. Just keep in mind, however, that they will also save you money in the long run when the heat you’re paying dearly for stays inside your home this winter.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com