We may not have to hibernate for winter like bears, but the truth is we spend more time in our homes during the cold winter months. As such, you want your home to be comfy and cozy while being prepared for the onslaught of frigid conditions that can cause problems. This is why winterizing your home is an important thing to do prior to winter setting in completely.
“Winterizing your home preps it for the season it's about to face to keep your energy bills low and your home comfortable," Matthias Alleckna, an energy nalyst at EnergyRates.ca told Mom.com. "You wouldn't wear a tank top in a snowstorm for the same reason that you wouldn't leave Your windows open during one. The chillier end of autumn is the perfect time to winterize your home.”
Tips to save energy at home
How to budget the cost of winterizing a home
Some things are easier to do on your own as a DIYer, whereas other things you may want to get help for. Of course, doing it yourself will save you money on labor. But while installing insulation in the attic may be a simple task, you might not be comfortable climbing up in the attic to do it. If you do it yourself, expect to pay around $145 to $200 depending on how large your attic is, but if you hire someone, this will go up another $150 to $300 in labor depending on where you live.
A programmable thermostat might cost $20 to $130, but tack on another $100 or so in labor to install it if you can’t do it yourself. Adding weatherstripping can cost as little as $5 a door if you are willing to install them yourself. As you can see, prices will vary depending on what you are doing and whether or not you hire someone to install it.
Note: If you are hiring anyone to work inside your home during COVID-19, make sure that they are wearing adequate face masks, keeping their distance, and are following all safety protocols as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However you choose to winterize your home, make sure you take the time to enjoy the winter season, whether that is indoors or outdoors. Drink some eggnog, watch your favorite Netflix binge, and cuddle up on the sofa. Or, get outside and have a good old-fashioned snowball fight with the kids (of course showing them how it's done).
