Question submitted by: Stephanie L. of Herndon, VA

“Is it worth it to winterize my home?” Stephanie, this is a great question, especially as fall is ending and the cold is right on its heels. Most of Northern Virginia and Maryland have already experienced the chill. Many homeowners wonder if winterizing their homes is worth the time, hassle, or money.

First, we want to explain what winterizing is and how it can positively affect your home and your monthly energy bills!

What Is Winterizing?

Winterizing refers to preparing your home for the coldest months of the year. During winterization, homeowners should ensure:

• Leaks are resolved
• Plumbing in basements or crawl spaces is adequately insulated to avoid frozen pipes
• Attics, crawl spaces, and other areas are sufficiently insulated
• Their HVAC equipment is ready to operate reliably by scheduling professional maintenance
• Clear gutters of debris
• Clear the area around exterior HVAC equipment (if applicable) of debris

Winterizing will not only keep your home warmer in the winter, but it will extend the life of your fuel supply. Insulating walls and attics, caulking windows and doors, and weather-stripping pipes and gaps are some ways this is done. You’ll notice that homeowners often place plastic over all of their windows. This trick is a common DIY project that many people feel helps in the fight against the cold and their rising holiday energy bill.

A part of winterizing your home is ensuring that your gutters are clear of debris. This way, water can easily get through your gutters, so they’re far more protected from freezing.

When your home is winterized, your pipes will be insulated to ensure they don’t freeze as the weather gets cooler. Frozen pipes often lead to dangerous and costly bursts, drastically altering your holiday season and taking a chunk out of your wallet that you weren’t expecting!

An improperly sealed home can waste 10-15% of energy! With proper winterization, you can put that money back in your pocket and energy back in your home where it needs to be!

Call us to learn more about how to get your home winterized by F.H. Furr! Find out more about energy savings, too! We’re here to help ensure your home runs smoothly, efficiently, and comfortably all winter long!