Ways to Winterize Your Home

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

A quality homeowner’s insurance policy is key to making sure your home assets are protected should the worst happen. But there are a number of ways you can care for your home that will not only protect it, but will help you save real money on heating energy and expenses.

Winterizing your home can help you start saving today. Here are a few simple ways you can feel warmer this winter without turning up the heat (and the costs):

• Install storm doors and windows, which can increase energy efficiency by 45% by sealing drafts and reducing air flow. Making sure these are installed and securely shut can help save you a great deal of energy and money.

• On the same track, window insulation kits are available for just a few dollars at your local hardware store, and add a buffer against draft and extra still air space.

• Invest in a programmable thermostat that operates on a timer, so that you aren’t paying for heat when you aren’t in your home.

• Wearing warmer clothes like sweaters while in your home may seem like an insignificant step, but doing so can warm you up by four degrees, allowing you to lower that thermostat and save more energy and costs.

A number of winterization methods can also help pay for themselves with certain federal tax credits that make saving on energy tax deductible. Investing in a tankless water heater, or going solar, for instance, can be used with a federal tax credit that pays 30% of the cost for solar water heaters, or up to $1,500 for conventional systems.

Many of these simple steps can help you save money and energy for your home. Start making these changes before the temperature drops!

If you have any additional questions regarding winterization for your home, please contact Blais Insurance at 401-725-0070.