Preparing for Winter Weather: DIY Ways to Stay Warm, Reduce Power Bills and Prep for the Cold

DIY Pro Tips for Weatherproofing Your Home for Winter in Portland

Winter is in full force, but it’s not too late to weatherproof your home for the season. Fingers crossed, we won’t experience another week-long ice storm (#RIPsnowpocalypse2017). But just in case, here are some DIY ways to stay warm and prepare for the cold this season.

Stay Warm and Cozy With DIY Insulation

Our top priority for winter? Keeping you and your loved ones warm and cozy. Fortunately, we have a DIY insulation hack to guard you from winter’s chill. All you need are blinds and curtains to help improve your home’s insulation.

When you leave your home in the morning, make sure your south-facing windows are uncovered by curtains and blinds. This allows the sun to seep in and maximize your home’s solar gain. But when you return at night, use a curtain to cover all your windows, thus creating a thin insulating layer.

This simple DIY trick makes a real difference in terms of keeping your home warm during the chilly season. Pro tip: the thicker the curtain, the better, and hang your curtains as close as possible to the window as possible.

Shave Dollars Off Your Winter Power Bills

Not all winter woes come in the form of weather problems and leaking roofs; the steep costs of heating your home can be a serious downfall, too. But if you monitor your home’s thermostat and temperature, you can make a substantial impact in cutting down energy costs.

While you’re spending time at home, adjust your thermostat to hold a low, albeit comfortable, temperature. When you’re away from home, or at night, lower the thermostat to stay between 50-57 degrees Fahrenheit. Trust us, this will save you dozens on your winter heating bill.

Our advice? Invest in a programmable thermostat that makes monitoring temperature change in your home throughout the week simple and easy.

Scour Your Home to Uncover Any Potential Leaks

Another must-try winter DIY project: check the nooks and crannies of your home in search of openings and potential leaks. Key areas to check include: the chimney, gaps between closets and doors, pipe joints, ceiling-mounted light areas, or any broken tiles.

Once identified, make sure you work to seal those gaps ASAP, using caulk to close them all up. Just make sure you set down a plastic sheet first!

Shift Your Home Furniture Layout

The task is simple, but the rewards are far-reaching: shifting your home furniture layout can make substantial improvements in regards to your home’s heating bill costs and overall heat retention during winter. Skeptical? Try these DIY tips:

• Dress up communal areas with a rug, creating an added sense of warmth
• Avoid placing couches or chairs near radiators, which will minimize the heat in your home
• Shift your seating arrangements closer to the fireplace and move any lounge furniture away from windows and doors
• Got any other DIY tips for keeping your home warm throughout the winter? Let us know! We’d love to hear them.