- Make exterior repairs. In DC, winter snow and ice can take you by surprise - and wreak havoc on your home. Check for signs of damage to your roof, siding, and foundation. If you spot anything that needs repair, schedule it as soon as possible.
- Mind the gaps. It can be hard to get comfortable in a drafty house, and colder weather may even bring in critters looking for warm places to make a home. Check for and be sure to fill small holes and cover any larger gaps. Use heavy-duty hardware cloth to keep the wildlife (and cold air) outdoors.
- Add weatherstripping. Applying this handy, low-cost item around the frames of windows and doors helps boost winter warmth and cut energy costs - well worth a trip to the hardware store! Also, add door sweeps to the base of drafty doors to keep heat in and cold air out.
- Remove window A/C units. If your window air conditioning units are still installed from the summer, remove them as soon as possible to help reduce energy waste. If you leave must window A/C units in, cover the entire exterior of the unit with an insulating wrap to keep cold air out.
- Comfort for winter and beyond. A trained auditor can assess your home’s current energy efficiency. They'll give you a list of recommended improvements you can make to stay comfortable this winter and through the rest of the year.
- Heat things up. As you head into the coldest months of winter, your chimney and furnace or boiler should be clean and in working order. Add a chimney cap if you don’t already have one — it will stop critters from crawling down your chimney!
6 Ways to Prep for Whatever Winter Throws Your Way
From mild cold to frigid temps and everything in between, prep for whatever this winter throws your way in six steps.
