How To Prepare Your House For The Winter
If you know anything about Canada, you know that our winters are cold and long. This is one the best parts of living in Canada! Winter gives us Christmas, curling and HOCKEY! Winter rocks and I wouldn't have it any other way. There is one downside to Winters in Canada, that is our OUTRAGEOUS heating bills. When I was younger I used to work for a bricklayer who couldn't understand why Canadians built our homes the way we did. He told me that in Europe, homes were built to better withstand the colder months of the year.
The rise and rise of heating bills
Like most middle income families that live in Canada, I simply cannot afford to pay my gas bill when it doubles or even triples during the winter months. Since I purchased my home five years ago, I have had to learn several different tips and tricks to reduce my gas bill. These tips range from being cheap to expensive so I don't expect you to follow everyone. I have also used a $ to estimate how much a project could end up costing you.
Household Improvements
Caulking the windows & doors: $
This needs to be done every couple years or whenever necessary. This project can be done by anyone. All you need to get started is a caulking gun, a tube of silicone caulking and a caulking tool. For the best results I recommend watching a Youtube video on the process of applying caulking.
Installing Extra Insulation:$
Walk around your house with a pencil and pad of paper. Take notes of places where you can add some extra insulation. Buy a bag of fiberglass insulation, a pair of disposable gloves, masking tape and a utility knife. Fiberglass Insulation can make you VERY itchy so I recommend wearing an older sweater and pants while you use it. Tear a garbage bag in half and wrap it around your arms, so that your forearm and biceps are covered. Then put on your disposable gloves and tape them down so that insulation doesn't get into the glove.
Once you are finished protecting your skin you can begin installing the insulation. Add insulation to anywhere you have noted in your notepad. Be sure to leave the insulation pieces fluffy and not compacted.
Cover basement windows: $
If you have any insulation left over after the last tip, use it to cover the windows in the basement. Be sure to make sure there is enough lighting without the window.
Replace old windows & doors: $$$$
If you live in a house that has old windows & doors, replace them asap. This is the easiest way to lower your heating bill. If you can't afford to replace them all at once, do it two or three at a time. This investment will pay for itself over time and will also make your house more appealing when you want to sell it.
Add insulation to the crawl space/attic: $$
I would recommend hiring a professional to for this project. Adding more insulation to your crawlspace or attic to reduce heat loss is one of the cheapest ways to reduce your heating cost.
Switch to Gas: $$$$
One of the most expensive ways to heat your house is by using electricity. Switching over to a gas furnace has an initial investment, but will ultimately pay's off over time. If you decide to switch your furnace to gas, also consider switching your dryer, hot water tank and oven to gas at the same time.
The rise and rise of heating bills
Like most middle income families that live in Canada, I simply cannot afford to pay my gas bill when it doubles or even triples during the winter months. Since I purchased my home five years ago, I have had to learn several different tips and tricks to reduce my gas bill. These tips range from being cheap to expensive so I don't expect you to follow everyone. I have also used a $ to estimate how much a project could end up costing you.
Household Improvements
Caulking the windows & doors: $
This needs to be done every couple years or whenever necessary. This project can be done by anyone. All you need to get started is a caulking gun, a tube of silicone caulking and a caulking tool. For the best results I recommend watching a Youtube video on the process of applying caulking.
Installing Extra Insulation:$
Walk around your house with a pencil and pad of paper. Take notes of places where you can add some extra insulation. Buy a bag of fiberglass insulation, a pair of disposable gloves, masking tape and a utility knife. Fiberglass Insulation can make you VERY itchy so I recommend wearing an older sweater and pants while you use it. Tear a garbage bag in half and wrap it around your arms, so that your forearm and biceps are covered. Then put on your disposable gloves and tape them down so that insulation doesn't get into the glove.
Once you are finished protecting your skin you can begin installing the insulation. Add insulation to anywhere you have noted in your notepad. Be sure to leave the insulation pieces fluffy and not compacted.
Cover basement windows: $
If you have any insulation left over after the last tip, use it to cover the windows in the basement. Be sure to make sure there is enough lighting without the window.
Replace old windows & doors: $$$$
If you live in a house that has old windows & doors, replace them asap. This is the easiest way to lower your heating bill. If you can't afford to replace them all at once, do it two or three at a time. This investment will pay for itself over time and will also make your house more appealing when you want to sell it.
Add insulation to the crawl space/attic: $$
I would recommend hiring a professional to for this project. Adding more insulation to your crawlspace or attic to reduce heat loss is one of the cheapest ways to reduce your heating cost.
Switch to Gas: $$$$
One of the most expensive ways to heat your house is by using electricity. Switching over to a gas furnace has an initial investment, but will ultimately pay's off over time. If you decide to switch your furnace to gas, also consider switching your dryer, hot water tank and oven to gas at the same time.
Source...