Now that retailers are stringing lights and piping Christmas music for shoppers to enjoy, it’s time to give some thought to your house’s ability to withstand colder weather. Taking a little time now to tune everything up can save you money on heating costs for the next few months.

Here are some basic winterizing measures to consider to help you stay on budget this winter (adapted from WalletPop.com).

Making Sure the Heat Stays In

• Tune up your furnace: Call in an expert to make sure your heating system is in fine working order. There’s nothing less pleasant (trust me) than waiting until the first really chilly day to find out something’s gone wrong with your house’s heat system. This will cost a little money up front, but hopefully save you from unexpected, more major repairs down the road.
• Batten the hatches: Patch holes and air leaks in your windows and doors with caulking or weather stripping. You may even want to seal your windows with plastic (available at most hardware stores) to keep heat in.
• Check your insulation: This handy guide to insulation can help you figure out what kind of insulation you need, based on where in the country you live. Padding your home now can save you serious money on your monthly energy bill.
• Prevent ice damage: If you have water spigots outside of your home, turn off water going to them if there’s a chance of a freeze. Even if you don’t use that water all winter, ice could cause a backup and pipe bursting for your entire house (which is never fun in freezing weather).
• Clean your gutters: Too much weight in a gutter (from snow and ice) can lead to detachment and breaking-off; a loose gutter can lead to sneaky water freezing in nefarious ways to parts of your house meant to be snug. Take some time to empty your gutters so the winter weather doesn’t cause long-term damage.
• Do a fireplace inspection: If you have a fireplace, now might be a good time to get your chimney cleaned, double-check your fire extinguishers and make sure the flue is clear. A small obstruction can lead to serious fire damage if unnoticed.
• Check your thermostat: If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, consider investing in one. You can set your house to a lower temperature when the family is away or sleeping under warm covers, and a higher temp for when everyone’s home. This can lead to significant heating cost reductions.
• Stock up on supplies: Whether you need a snow blower, a shovel, salt or just a few extra pairs of socks for the season, make sure you have them around and in working order. It’s better to remember that your only winter coat has a broken zipper now, before you need to wear it to the tailor’s.

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