How to Prepare for Cold Weather

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By CCrock
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (8 Ratings)

Preparing for the cold weather of fall and winter can save you a significant amount of money on your energy bill.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Step 1

Change the filter on your central heating system and check for any leaks. If you suspect any leaky ducts, call a heating contractor to check out it out.
Step 2

Caulk all gaps/joints in your exterior siding and trim. Also caulk and weatherstrip around window trims and exterior doors to prevent cold air from seeping in and warm air from escaping.
Step 3

Place outlet covers over your outlets to prevent cold air from seeping in. They are very cheap and can be found in the baby supply area of most stores such as Babies'r'us. Fred Meyers, Target, and ShopKo. You could also probably find them in the infant section at your local drug store.
Step 4

If you have a fire place or wood burning oven, stock up on some firewood in for those days and nights you prefer to heat your home with a nice toasty fire or in case the power goes out from a winter storm.
Step 5

Make sure you have some extra warm blankets around as well as some warm flannel or fleece pajamas so you can turn the thermostat down at night and keep warm to cut heating costs. You could also use an electric blanket (but don't forget to turn off).
Step 6

Keep your heating bills lower buy purchasing a space heater and just using it to heat whichever room you are in. But remember to read the instructions and follow them carefully as they can be a fire and injury hazard.
Step 7

Keep the doors to different rooms in the house closed so that those rooms can retain their heat, keeping you cozy and warm all winter long.
Step 8

Buy some warm flannel or fleece PJs so you can stay warm at night without having to crank up the thermostat.Buy some warm flannel or fleece PJs so you can stay warm at night without having to crank up the thermostat.