5 Easy Tips to Prepare and Insulate Your Home for Winter

When the weather starts getting cold, maintaining a balance between energy savings and comfort can be a struggle. However, prepping your North Branford, CT home for winter doesn't have to cost you a fortune. One of the best ways to save energy and stay warm is to insulate the different areas in and around your home where heat can escape. By following the tips below, you can stay warm and cozy all winter long while also saving money.

Tips to Insulate and Prep your Home for Winter

Some ways to insulate and prep your home for winter include:

1. Seal Drafts Near Windows and Doors

Use weather stripping, caulk, or other types of sealant, like window weatherseal, to eliminate door and window drafts.

2. Insulate your Windows

If you notice a draft inside your cozy house, chances are it's your windows. Instead of going out and spending a lot of money on new windows, you can insulate your windows during the wintertime instead to keep the heat in.

Actually, sealing your windows during the wintertime is a no-fuss, cost-effective way to keep the cold air out and prevent drafts from coming in through cracks and gaps. It also regulates your windows' surface temperature to ensure there's no build-up of condensation, which is usually the case for people who tend to crank up the heat.

When you insulate your windows during the winter, it will help you save on your heating costs because you won't be losing heat any longer. And, there are many budget-friendly and easy ways to insulate your windows too, which is good news.

3. Cover your Window Air Conditioner

It's recommended that you take your air conditioner out of your window during the months of winter, since the heat can escape through your air conditioner's accordion extension panels as well as the chassis. It can also cause the cold winter air to enter your home in the same way. If you decide to leave your AC in the window, it's important you read the manufacturer's instructions for winter storage.

Also, if you live in North Branford, CT (or anywhere in the North), you know there will be significant cold weather and snow. Therefore, it's a smart move to cover your air conditioner if you're leaving it in your window. In the northern areas, you'll probably use your AC for a few months each year. Since ice and leaves can build up on your air conditioner, a cover will help protect it. If you don't cover your AC in snowy areas, the damage caused by ice buildup can cause damage to the coils over time.

4. Insulate Patio Doors

Windows and doors represent any property's thermal weak-points. And, this is particularly so with patio doors. Whether your patio doors are French, bi-fold, or of the sliding variety, they present the heat in your home with plenty of glass to escape from and the elements plenty of cracks to enter through.

You can usually keep the draughts around the bottom of the patio door at bay through the use of a draft excluder, which is a long, cylindrical cushion that sits at the bottom of your door. You can replace your curtains in the wintertime with insulating thermal curtains. These are thick and insulated and help block drafts, preventing the loss of heat through your patio door.

You'll also want to consider installing plastic window film.  This plastic window film is a cheap, temporary solution for insulating your patio doors in the wintertime. Plastic window film can be cut to size and customized to fit any glass surface — even that of your patio doors. You can purchase a patio door insulation kit that's easy to install and helps decrease your energy costs and improve energy efficiency by sealing up your drafty windows. 

5. Insulate your Crawl Spaces and Attic

Insulating your crawl space and attic will optimize your home's insulation. It will keep the outdoor air from disrupting your indoor temperatures.

For more ways to prep and insulate your home for the winter, shop at Country Paint & Hardware Shop.