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5 Ways You Can Save Money (And Time) This Winter

November 18, 2015
save money

You can save money and time by trying these 5 home repair tricks.

As much as we don’t want to admit it, winter is on its way. The good news is that you don't need a long list of to-do's to get your home ready for the cold weather. We picked out five essential home-prep tasks that will save money and time, and included an estimated time for how long each task should take. There are five weeks until the cold officially arrives, so if you select one task to complete each week, you'll be set!

Clean out debris collected around your gutters and doors (1 - 2 hours)

Falling leaves and branches can collect in and around your gutters - this also means they can plug window well drains, cause water leaks and ice dams that can cause damage to your home. Pick an afternoon and inspect your home from top to bottom. Look for damaged or missing shingles, sweep out leaves in gutters and remove all debris. Make sure the drains are clear and install plastic covers to provide additional protection.

Check your thermostat (10 mins)

It’s unnecessary to have warm air blasting all day. Embrace the sweater weather, and put on an extra layer in the house. When you’re out of the house or tucked into bed (underneath comfy covers and blankets), turn your thermostat down 10 or 15 degrees. Studies show that you may sleep better in cooler environments. Keeping temperatures around 68 degrees when you’re home can make a big difference to your pocketbook.If you’re feeling fancy, consider installing a learning thermostat that can adapt to changing seasons and your lifestyle.

Stop cold drafty air from seeping in (1 hour)

Cold air seeps under doors and windows. Fortunately, there are easy and cheap ways to stop cold air from coming in. The easiest: Grab a rolled up towel or blanket and place it underneath the door. Don’t forget to inspect around the windows and door frames, looking out for any indication of rotted wood. Take it a step further and add or replace weatherstripping and caulk inside and out. Take a look at the windows themselves. If you notice any fine lines or broken glass, get it replaced or repaired. Preventing air leaks around windows and doors will increase comfort and lower heating bills.

Change the direction of ceiling fan to stay warm (10 mins)

Most people associate fans with cooling off. While this is true in the warmer months, if you switch the direction of the fan to rotate clockwise, it produces warmer air! Check if your ceiling fans have a switch that allows you to spin it in the opposite direction to pull air upwards, pushing the warm air (that naturally rises) back down towards you.

Disconnect exterior faucets, hoses & sprinkler systems (30 mins)

Disconnect all garden hoses, drain water from the faucets and turn off the shut-off valve in the basement (for faucets older than 10 years). This will prevent pipes from bursting as ice expands. Turn off your sprinkler service (you won’t need it) and drain the system to make sure it won’t freeze all winter.

There you have it, folks! Your complete winter home-prep list. Give it a try, best of luck and if you have any questions we're here to help!


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