How To Prep Your House for Winter and Save

Feel that chill in the air? In many parts of the country, the leaves are just starting to change colors as the mercury drops - but soon enough, winter will be here. And with old Jack Frost comes a number of headaches and seasonal concerns for homeowners. A snowy winter wonderland can be a picturesque setting, but also a nightmare to traverse.

Wintry conditions can wreak havoc on homes, which makes it all the more important for homeowners to winterize their residences in anticipation of the season. Not only is this common sense for keeping your family and home safe in winter, but it also makes sense financially.

Costly energy bills can easily get out of hand when the furnace is churning, while ice dams can cause damage that must be repaired. Here are some simple steps for homeowners to take to prep their homes for winter and save.

"Be sure to replace your furnace filters as a first step."

Assess your HVAC systems

Heating is crucial during winter. While you can wear layers around the house for a good while in fall, winter won't be so forgiving. When you need to turn your furnace on, you don't want to wait until your'e too deep into the season to realize your equipment is malfunctioning. It's vital, then, to test HVAC systems during autumn so everything is in working condition for winter. This saves money in a couple ways: It can both avoid repairs that are more costly in winter, as well as ensure energy efficiency.

The costs of an HVAC system that strains to heat a home will show up in the energy bill. Be sure to replace your filters as a first step.

Lay down weather stripping

Another surefire way to lose money is to have heat escape the home through cracks around window and doors. Even the smallest gap can have the biggest impact on the home budget, so weather stripping and similar products that seal edges around entrances, exits and window are valuable. Preventing drafts can be as simple as laying down a towel under a door. However, homeowner's might get better results with professional products.

Clean the gutters and get ahead of ice dams

Cleaning the gutters certainly isn't a fun chore, but somebody's got to do it! Gutters free of debris and the gunk that builds up over time more effectively drain water, which is important to preventing ice dams. Along with a well-insulated attic, clean gutters will help homeowners avoid the costs of ice dams that form and damage the house. A tip to keep in mind is to not clean your gutters too early into fall. While there's little doubt you want to just get it over with, wait until the trees are close to bare to ensure you don't have to clean the gutters twice.

Need help preparing your home and finances for winter? Talk to Vectra Bank today. We have solutions that homeowners can leverage throughout the season.