During winter, one of the biggest challenges people face is how to prepare their homes for the cold weather. Most people think that they need to spend a lot of money on heating, but there are several ways to keep your home warm without breaking the bank.

Assess your insulation

Insulation is a material that helps to keep heat in your home by trapping it inside. The most common type of insulation is fiberglass, but there are also other options, like cellulose, rock wool, and denim. If you live in an older home, chances are your insulation isn’t as good as it could be.

You can check the quality of your insulation by doing a simple test. Hold a sheet of paper up to your walls or ceilings. If you can see the outlines of the paper, that means heat is escaping and you need to add more insulation. Another way to tell if you need more insulation is to take a look at your energy bills. If you notice that your heating costs are going up, but you’re not using any more energy than usual, your home is likely losing heat.

Get a programmable thermostat

A programmable thermostat is a great way to save money on your energy bills. It allows you to set the temperature for different times of the day, so you’re not heating your home when you don’t need to. For example, if you know you’re going to be out of the house during the day, you can set the thermostat to a lower temperature so you’re not wasting energy heating an empty home.

You can also use a programmable thermostat to make sure your home is warm when you need it to be. If you have a family member who is elderly or has a health condition, you can set the thermostat to make sure their home is warm enough for them. Programmable thermostats are relatively inexpensive and can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Use draft stoppers

Draft stoppers are an easy and inexpensive way to keep heat from escaping through your doors and windows. Draft stoppers are long, tube-shaped pillows that you place at the bottom of your door or window. They block any gaps where heat could escape, which makes your home warmer and more energy-efficient.

You can buy draft stoppers online or at most home improvement stores. You can also make them yourself with a little bit of fabric and some rice or beans.

Check your roofing and make sure your gutters are clean

During winter, your roof takes a beating from the cold weather and the snow. If it’s not in good condition, it could start to leak, which would cause serious damage to your home.

It’s a good idea to have a professional roofer near you come and take a look at your roof before winter starts. For instance, if you live in Atlanta, a simple online search using keywords like “Atlanta roofers” will bring up a list of roofers in your area.

You should also make sure your gutters are clean before winter starts. If they’re full of leaves and other debris, they won’t be able to do their job properly, which could lead to water damage.

You can clean your gutters yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure you have the proper safety equipment, like a ladder and gloves.

Check your HVAC system

Your HVAC system is responsible for heating and cooling your home, so it’s important to make sure it’s in good working condition before winter starts. Some parts, such as the air filter, should be replaced regularly. You can check your HVAC system yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, you could end up causing more damage than good.

It may seem like a lot of work to prepare your home for winter, but it’s worth it in the end. By taking some time to do things like insulation and draft stoppers, you can save money on your energy bills and keep your home warm all winter long.

 Guest Contributor: McKenzie Jones