Winterize your home

As the cold air moves in, many homeowners look to find ways to keep heating costs down by insulating their homes from the icy temperatures. Fortunately, you can follow a few simple steps to guard against cold-weather damage and keep those energy bills from skyrocketing in the winter months.

Guard against air leaks. Even a small draft can make a big impact on your monthly heating bill. Check for leaks by lighting a stick of incense and holding it near possible draft areas. If the smoke gets sucked in or blown out, you have an air leak. Be sure to check windows, door frames and points where materials meet (e.g. wood and brick or foundation and wall). Most drafts can be fixed with caulking. Drafts under your door can be fixed with weather stripping, which is available at most hardware stores.

Protect against icy pipes and gutters. Ice formation in outdoor pipes and gutters can cause them to crack or burst, resulting in serious damage come springtime. Be sure to shut off the water valve for all outdoor pipes. As an extra precaution, you can also purchase pipe insulation and slip it onto outdoor piping. Be sure to clear out all gutters. Any debris could cause a water blockage that may result in ice damage to your gutters or roof.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate. The biggest money and energy-saver for your home this winter is good insulation. Older homes tend to have significantly less insulation than newer ones, so it pays to check it out. The U.S. Department of Energy says that adding new insulation will pay for itself within a few years through lower energy bills. Areas that need the most insulation are attics, cathedral ceilings, exterior walls and foundations.  

Be smart about carbon monoxide. Winter is the most dangerous time for carbon monoxide poisoning. Protect your family by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector, or if you already own one, be sure to test the batteries. It is also important to have a professional check your furnace for carbon monoxide