How to Winterize a House
As winter approaches, it may make sense — practically and financially — to prepare for the season ahead. Seasonal weather can transform minor issues into major ones, and cracks and holes around doors and windows can allow the money you spend on heating to literally fly away.
Here, some smart moves for protecting your home, from the top of the chimney to the water heater in the basement. Plus, you’ll learn ways to finance improvements that will help get (and keep) your property in top condition.
Ways to Winterize a House
While the steps to winterize a home may differ in Alaska vs. Texas, it still helps to get ahead of any issues that may arise. No one wants to wind up with a leaky roof or an ice-cold home during a cold snap.
It can be a smart move to start planning to winterize several months before the season arrives. The timing of the first frost varies from state to state, and of course, there are some regions of the U.S. that enjoy mild temperatures year-round. It may help to check the National Weather Service’s data that forecasts the first frost for each state to assist in your winterization preparation timeline.
The following tips for winterizing a house may help you reduce future repair costs and heating bills.
Protect Pipes or Pay the Piper
When deciding how to winterize a house, you may first consider how to address plumbing leaks and other issues.
Angi.com reports that the average burst pipe repair costs $500, but charges of up to $3,000 are not uncommon. Pipes in unheated areas of a home, including basements, attics, and garages, are among the most likely to sustain damage. But pipes running through exterior walls (including those in kitchens and bathrooms) in the heated parts of your home can also freeze.
Protecting the plumbing is clearly a situation where being proactive may save you a bundle. Pipe insulation can range from $0.50 to $1.50 or more per foot depending on whether you opt for tubular foam, spray foam, fiberglass, rubber or other kinds of insulation. Compare that to the $3,000 figure above to repair a significant leak, and the rewards of winterization can quickly become clear.
Adding insulation to attics (typically a $1,500 to $6,000 job), crawl spaces, and basements can help to keep those areas warmer, which can also help to keep pipes from freezing. (Yes, many houses have pipes in the attic.) What’s more, the E.P.A. says that homeowners can save up to 15% on heating and cooling costs by pumping up their home’s insulation. The higher an insulation’s R value, the better it may keep your home toasty. It can be a wise move to check the U.S. Department of Energy’s map and guide for more details on this topic.
Address HVAC Maintenance and Repair
Nobody wants the heating system to perform poorly during the winter — much less have it break down.
It’s a good idea to schedule a professional maintenance appointment (about $300 on average), including a filter change, before freezing temperatures arrive. Afterward, it’s best to change the filter at least every 90 days to keep your system operating optimally.
Additionally, maintenance and repairs to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and cleaning out vents can improve airflow in your home.
One good move (if you haven’t already made it) can be to install a smart thermostat. If people in a home are away during reasonably regular times of the day or you want to lower the thermostat at night, it can make sense to install a programmable thermostat to save on energy costs. You could quickly shave $140 off your annual energy bill and plunk that into a high-yield savings account or your emergency fund.
It may be time to consider a new HVAC system for some people. The Department of Energy’s Energy Star program provides tips to homeowners to decide if replacing an HVAC system would be a good move.
Signs that it might be time to replace the unit include:
And if you are contemplating making a move to, say, a heat pump or other new system, definitely do an online search about rebates and tax deductions that may be available. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) shares some details on the IRS website.
Check the Roof, Gutters, and Chimney
Before winter hits, clearing the roof and gutters of leaves and other debris will help prevent snow and ice from building up and damaging the gutters — or, worse, the roof.
If ice or snow gets beneath roof shingles, it can lead to leaks and interior water damage. You may want to check if you need to replace your gutters. Do any shingles need to be glued down or replaced? Do any small leaks in these areas need to be repaired before they become big ones?
Plus, a chimney inspection can make sense before winter arrives. A chimney could have an animal nest lodged within, and there can also be structural problems. If the home has a wood-burning fireplace, creosote buildup can create both a fire and health hazard, so keeping up with regular cleaning is also important. With a gas fireplace, a blocked chimney could lead to carbon monoxide backup, which can be life-threatening.
Prices for these services can range widely, with a chimney inspection costing an average of $450 and a cleaning costing $254 on average.
Addressing all these issues before winter comes can help you prevent damage, reduce future repair costs and energy bills, and avoid a potentially hazardous situation.
Examine the Water Heater
You may want to check your water heater before temperatures plunge to avoid a chilly shower during winter. The usual lifespan of a heater is eight to 12 years, but various factors can impact that. Rust and corrosion can occur and lead to leaks, so it’s in your best interest to check on it regularly.
A professional can examine your water heater, bleed the system to remove trapped air and mineral deposits, clean the pipes, and recommend and do repairs.
How much could this important aspect of home maintenance cost? The average repair can cost $600, according to Angi.com, and a replacement can run from $882 to $1,800 or higher.
Think About Outdoor Equipment and Plants
Preventive winterization isn’t just about your home. It can also be a good time to take care of your outdoor equipment, like a lawn mower or other power tools, to protect them as well. Another smart move: Take care of plants that could benefit from moving indoors. Some pointers:
• Draining the oil from the appropriate equipment and taking it to a local recycling or hazardous-waste site can be your first step.
• You also want to take care of general maintenance on equipment, including replacing old parts. That way, when spring rolls around and you need to mow your lawn or trim your bushes, you should be ready to go.
• Additionally, inspect gas caps to ensure O-rings are intact on this kind of equipment. If not, get replacements from the manufacturer. Also, replace filters and lubricate what needs lubricating.
• You may need to bring in the plants you initially placed outside to enjoy the summer sun when temperatures drop. Before doing so, check the plants for mealybugs, aphids, and other insects. Remove them and treat plants as needed so the problem doesn’t spread to other plants. Read up on how to get plants acclimated to the indoors and give them the best shot at survival over the winter.
• You may want to prune and repot some plants too. An online search of reputable sources, specific to the kinds of plants you have, will likely provide good advice.
Recommended: How HELOCs Affect Your Taxes
What’s the Cost of Winterizing a Home?
The cost of winterizing your home will vary greatly depending on your home’s size, age, needs, location (pricey suburb vs. a more affordable one), and climate. You might spend a couple of hundred dollars or (if you need a major roof repair or HVAC replacement) several thousand dollars or more.
Pipe insulation, as noted earlier, can be relatively cheap: as little as 50 cents per linear foot. If a homeowner decides to insulate further, perhaps an attic, costs can range between $1,500 to $6,000 or more.
To hire someone to clean gutters, you may pay an average of $167. An HVAC inspection might cost $300, while the cost to replace an HVAC system averages $7,500 but could tip into a five-figure price tag, depending upon the size of the home and type of system, among other factors.
Yes, there is a huge variation in prices, but you probably want to protect your home. It’s not only your shelter; it’s also likely to be your biggest financial asset. To that end, there are websites that allow a homeowner to enter a ZIP code and get an estimate of what a winterizing activity may cost. It can make sense to get quotes from local professionals to get an exact price, compare proposals and references, and then budget accordingly once you are ready to take the next steps.
Financing Winterization Projects
Some people pay for their home winterization costs out of pocket, while others may decide to get a home improvement loan.
If you’re leaning toward a loan, there are options, such as different types of home equity loans. These secured loans — which include a home equity line of credit (HELOC), a home equity loan, and a cash-out refinance — use your home as collateral for the loan.
Another option is to get an unsecured loan, such as a personal loan, to finance your costs.
Here, take a closer look at two popular options, a HELOC and a personal loan.
A HELOC, as noted, uses your home as collateral. For this to be an option, there needs to be enough equity in the property to borrow against it. The equity is your property’s current value minus the amount remaining on your mortgage. Some points to consider:
• Usually, you will need at least 15% to 20% equity. If you have that much, and the loan amount required is large, it could make sense to apply for a HELOC.
• You can typically borrow up to 85% of your equity.
• The way a HELOC works is you have a draw period (typically 10 years) during which you withdraw funds up to your limit as needed. Then, you enter the repayment period, which is often up to 20 years, during which you pay back the amount you’ve used.
• Typically, HELOCs have variable rates, but fixed-rate options may be available. Also, since these are secured loans, meaning your property acts as collateral, the interest rates may be lower than those for a personal loan.
• Another plus is that in some cases, interest payments may be tax-deductible if the funds are used in the way specified by IRS guidelines.
• An important note: A major downside of a HELOC (or any loan with your property as collateral) is that if you default on your loan, the lender could seize your house.
• Also, the process of securing a HELOC can take weeks, as it usually involves a home appraisal and other steps.
A personal loan can make sense for recent homebuyers who haven’t built enough equity or those who don’t want to use their home as collateral. Details to note:
• For people contemplating both small and large projects, a personal loan may make sense; the amounts available typically run from $1,000 or $5,000 to $100,000.
• Unlike with a HELOC, there is typically no tax deduction possible for the interest you pay on these loans.
• A personal loan for home improvements (aka a home improvement loan) typically has a fixed interest rate, but variable-rate loans are often available, too.
• The loan usually provides a lump sum, and then principal and interest are paid off (most often with monthly payments) over a term of one to seven years.
• Applying for and receiving money from an unsecured personal loan is typically much faster than with a HELOC, partly because no appraisal is required for the loan. Lenders may offer same-day approval, with funds becoming available just a few days after.
• Having an excellent credit score can help a borrower get approved or receive favorable loan terms. Those with lower credit scores will likely pay a higher interest rate.
Deciding which type of funding might be best for your home winterization needs will depend on many factors. It’s worthwhile to shop around and compare offers so you can find the right financial product to suit your situation. It’s also wise to familiarize yourself with how to apply for a loan so you can know what to expect and how long the process will take.
Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator
The Takeaway
Preparing your home for winter weather can be an important step to protect your property, hopefully heading off major repairs and potentially reducing your energy bills. Such steps as cleaning your gutters, having your HVAC system inspected, and adding insulation can be worthwhile.
Winterizing your house can involve a wide range of costs. Fortunately, there are usually ways to finance home improvement projects, such as home equity loans (including HELOCs) and personal loans, depending on your needs.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
FAQ
What do I need to do to winterize my house?
Some important steps to winterize your house can include cleaning the gutters, inspecting the roof and attic, adding insulation (both to prevent heat loss and protect pipes), having your chimneys checked, servicing your HVAC system, and prepping your outdoor equipment and plants for the colder weather.
How do you close up a house for the winter?
If you are closing up a house for the winter, it’s wise to get necessary inspections done (such as the roof and HVAC system); clean out gutters; shut off the water wherever possible to avoid pipes freezing and bursting; set the thermostat to no less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit; unplug appliances; fill exterior holes that could allow critters inside; and move plants and outdoor equipment inside.
How do you winterize a house so pipes don’t freeze?
It’s wise to set your home’s thermostat to no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit at any time of day. Insulating pipes well, especially ones near the home’s exterior, can also help prevent pipes from freezing.
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