When the colder weather hits, there is no reason to leave your house uninhabitable. It’s always advisable to think about weather proofing the house for winter. So, before winter sets in, finish the below projects so you can enjoy the next few months in comfort and warmth.

Install Programmable Thermostat

Installing programmable thermostats allows you to set temperatures ahead of time when you will not need heat, like when you are asleep or away from home, which saves on fuel costs and extends the life of your furnace. Your savings will add up quickly. Most units pay for themselves within a year.

This is one of the easiest yet most effective ways of saving energy costs throughout the winter months. It will automatically adjust the temperature in your home when no one is there or at certain times according to your schedule. You will not have to worry about your heater being left on all day if you have a programmable thermostat because it will ensure the temperature is lowered when no one is home and raised again before you return after work or school.

Upgrade to Energy Efficient Windows

Older windows can let a lot of heat out in the winter and cool air during the summer months. Replacing them with more energy-efficient options will help reduce your utility bills throughout the year and make you more comfortable by keeping your house at an even temperature. It also makes your home more energy-efficient overall, saving money on things like appliances.

Installing exterior storm windows to your home’s existing windows is a good way to protect yourself from the elements while saving on energy costs because all you have to do is measure each window, cut the panels for an exact fit then secure them in place with screws or nails which will provide insulation as well as a layer of protection from snow and rain that can lead to damage if left unprotected. The only thing you need to decide before installing new windows is whether you want insulated glass or non-insulated. Still, either one will give the same performance during winter conditions, so choose whichever best fits your budget plan.

Insulate Your Home

Along with being energy efficient, insulation is extremely important for keeping warmth in winter and cool air inside during the summer. If you have cracks or spaces around windows or doors where air can come in or out, it might be time to start thinking about exterior insulation. Another good place to check for air leaks is around electrical outlets where wires go through walls because of poor construction or improper garage door installation, which can cause heat loss and let bugs into your house.

If you want to find air leaks in your insulation before winter, seal them with caulk or weather-stripping. Caulk is usually made of silicon which will dry hard and hold up against anything from snow to wind. At the same time, weatherstripping is durable but can be more easily removed than caulk, so it is good for sliding doors, windows, and countertop installation.

Install Draft Stoppers

You will no longer have to deal with drafts in doorways or call a driveway paving company when you install draft stoppers like large rubber plugs that fit over the frames of exterior doors to keep cold air out. They are very inexpensive, easy to install, and can quickly pay for themselves through energy savings alone during winter months.

Draft stoppers are usually made from heavy-duty polyurethane foam that is durable and insulating to last a long time. You can even find them in different shapes like butterflies, bears, or other fun designs to make your home more inviting during the winter months.

Draft stoppers are easy to install. Place one over the doorframe and push it into place until it’s flush with the door. You can cut them if they are too big, then use a hot glue gun or caulk to secure any loose ends that might come uncovered after you push them into place so they will not flop around or fall off when you open and close your door.

Clean Out Your Garage

If you have any lawn equipment like snow blowers or sleds, water it down now before cold weather comes along with a hose to remove possible rust that will form on metal surfaces if left alone overnight. Dry them off, then coat metal surfaces with rust-resistant oil or petroleum jelly to delay the formation of rust until summertime.

If you have any rusty tools, clean them thoroughly now because if left alone, they will only get worse as time goes on since harsh chemicals used for cleaning can speed up this process, so it is best to remove the rust during its early stages before it becomes too difficult to do so effectively.

Once you have cleaned and covered any metal pieces, check your garage door if it needs repair or servicing because it is not a good idea to wait until winter is almost here to do this since it can be a big problem when a door does not work properly, which can make opening and closing the door more difficult.

Install a Dehumidifier

This machine pulls humidity from the air and allows it to pass through a hose that directs it outside, where it will not cause any damage. A dehumidifier is especially helpful in rooms of your home, like basements or bathrooms, where humidity tends to be on the high side and can lead to mold growth which can be harmful to you and your family members. Residents of areas with high amounts of humidity may benefit greatly from having one installed on every house floor, including the basement.

A dehumidifier, a small investment to make, can be a helpful appliance for your home. It will prevent humidity from building up and becoming the main cause of mold growth, so you will not have to deal with it as much during the winter months when there is less ventilation in your house.

Install Ductless Mini-Split Heating Systems

These systems work by dividing warmth into pockets so that all areas of your room receive the same comfort level instead of having hot and cold spots, which can be uncomfortable. They also work without using much electricity, so they are cost-effective while still providing quality heating performance with no harmful emissions released by them into the air around you to cause damage to your respiratory system over time.

A professional HVAC contractor can help you decide which type of ductless mini-split heating system is best suited to keep your room or rooms at a comfortable temperature all year long, depending on what time of the year it is. They are available in many shapes, sizes, and price ranges, so you are sure to find one that works within your budget.

If you do not have a fireplace or woodstove, now is the time to buy some firewood so it can dry out the recently cut wood before cold weather comes. The good idea is to stack the firewood off the ground, place a tarp over it, and then paint with primer/sealer after the cut ends of logs are exposed to the air.

Perform Weekly Maintenance on Your Air Conditioning System

Make sure that filters are free of dust which can cause equipment damage over time if not changed regularly, ensure that there are no leaves or other debris clogging ventilation ports on your system so it will work efficiently when called upon for cooling support later in the year, and check all flexible air ducts used by these systems for cleanliness, so they do not become blocked causing poor airflow throughout the house making you uncomfortable while also allowing dirt particles to build up inside them causing illness and health problems over time.

Ensure that all heating ductwork is free from leaks so your family will be comfortable throughout the year without too much or an insufficient amount of heat reaching them, inspect water tanks for leakage to ensure safety, and check wiring connections so you can spot any worn insulation before it becomes exposed to bare wires which can cause fire hazards if exposed to flammable materials over time.

Heating and air system repairs need to be done by professional HVAC contractors annually to avoid damage over time which will cost you more in the long run than just making these simple adjustments yourself.

Clean Out Your Gutters

This often gets put off until springtime because people do not want to deal with rain gutters full of leaves and dirt. Clean out your gutters now before it starts raining to keep water flowing properly through them. You will not have any problems calling a commercial roof repair service company for clogged rain gutters during the winter months because leaves will be falling off trees, not accumulating on top of them.

If you have never done this before, here is a great guide for how to clean out gutters so they will be ready when winter rolls in. It is an easy how-to guide on keeping your home protected against snow and ice accumulations by clearing the path of water flow away from your foundation at all times throughout the year.

Repair Cracks in Your Foundation and Outer House Walls

This may seem like a job best left to the general contractors, but if you are up for it, go ahead and give it a try yourself during late summer while it is still warm outside, even better. You will not have any trouble doing this with creams or injections because there is no heat involved, making applying them difficult.

Be sure to spread some protection over the area after you have done the work, like paint, for instance, so that dirt and debris does not get into your newly-opened pores or cracks while rain is falling on them, which can cause further damage if it freezes inside the wall when winter comes around.

This will ensure HVAC installation is fully functional and reduce any additional heat loss while also providing insulation in your home for cooler months ahead thanks to the number of materials used in their construction, ranging from fiberglass, asphalt paving, batting to foam rubber with metals like aluminum or steel mesh creating a barrier between living spaces and outdoor weather elements for increased energy efficiency during cold periods.

Cover up Your Pool

If you have a pool and live in an area that sees cold weather, drain it and cover it up properly now before the winter starts because if ice forms on top of the water and keeps growing, your pool could crack and cause damage to your home by creating a leak since pools are not meant to hold that much weight above them.

You can purchase covers for your pool or make your own using wood covered with a tarp as well as adding bricks or cinderblocks overtop to weigh down the covering so high winds do not blow it off as well as to keep children from falling into the water because this will become dangerous during winter months if left uncovered, which is another reason to take the time to cover your pool now properly.

If you do not have a pool at all, the easiest method of keeping leaves and other debris off your roof is by installing wire mesh or aluminum screening over top of it that can be easily removed in springtime when winter has ended so you can sweep excess leaves off into the yard for disposal without too much work, which will make your next task easier when doing landscaping work in springtime when leaves are no longer an issue.

In conclusion, some of these jobs can be costly, especially if you hire a professional company to do them for you instead of taking the time yourself. However, these are all very important tasks that should never be skipped or put off until another day because they can cause damage to your home and end up costing a lot more in repairs by the end of the year from being neglected during fall months, so take the time now before winter gets here to complete them, so your property is ready when cold periods begin.