HOME WINTER WEATHERIZATION

Cold temperatures and high heating bills usually encourage homeowners to look for ways to weatherize their homes. While each individual improvement makes a difference, a whole-house strategy for improving energy performance is the best approach to significantly reduce utility bills.

Here is a basic winter weatherization checklist prepared by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Roof
Check for broken, damaged or loose shingles; small holes; and loose nails.
Check flashing around dormers, vent pipes, chimneys, and any other projections where the roof covering meets an adjoining surface.
Gutters and Downspouts
Clean out leaves, dirt, and debris.
Check supports.
Exterior
Repair cracks in stucco or masonry walls.
Spot-repair and paint any defective areas to prevent damage from freezing and thawing.
Clean leaves, dirt, and debris out of window wells.
Interior
Remove or winterize air conditioners.
Check the hot water heater for leaks.
Install insulating kits behind electrical plugs that are on exterior-facing walls.
Have chimney inspected and cleaned.
Close the fireplace damper when not in use.
Windows and Doors
Check weatherstripping around windows, doors, and between foundation and siding; replace where needed.
Check metal weatherstripping for dents, bends, breaks, loss of tension, or other damage that could make it less effective; repair or replace where needed.
Repair and paint storm windows if necessary.
Replace worn doorstops at bottom of doors.
Install storm doors and windows.
Heating System
Have a qualified service technician clean and check the home heating system.
Vacuum vents, registers, and other heating components.
Install a programmable thermostat that automatically regulates the temperature throughout the day.