Winter in Michigan is no joke. The season lasts almost half of the year and can come and go unpredictably. No matter if you are born and raised Michigander, or a new transplant, there are always new things you learn about the cold season. Did you know that people spend 25% more on heating bills every month in winter? There are many ways to winterize your home to make sure that you are not spending extra money on keeping yourself warm.

Windows

Windows are an area of the home that heat can easily escape from. To winterize your home you would need to create a tighter seal. You can do this several ways:

Plastic around the outside of the windows. This requires a lot of elbow grease but can be one of the most economical options.

Draft stopping tape

Caulk

Hang thermal curtains

Tools

Tools take a beating even when inside your garage. The drop in temperature and residual moisture from soil can ruin even the heartiest of tools. 

Start by cleaning off any leftover debris and dirt. You want your tools to be sparkly clean so you do not have to sweat it when spring cleaning comes along. 

Oil your wooden handles. This prevents them from drying out and cracking through the colder months. 

Remember your hose! Make sure you drain a hose overnight (before freezing temps), unscrew and coil safely inside. 

Check blades, including your mower. Sharpen and clean to prevent rust from forming.

Indoor

Arguably the most important part of your home. You want to make sure that you stay comfortable and cozy throughout the season. Winterize the inside of your home by checking to make sure your heating system is functioning at its highest capability.

Prevent fires by checking that your fire alarms have working batteries.

Switch to natural gas. Natural gas is a more reliable heating system when it comes to power outages you no longer have to worry about your home or pipes freezing. Check out the rates of Kratos Natural Gas Michigan today!

Flush your water heater. Build up can occur over time at the bottom of your water heater and it will prevent water from getting hot. Flush the water through the drain valve to clear out the material and keep your heater functioning at its best.

Outdoor

Clean your gutters. The most dreaded of jobs but it can be the most effective when winterizing your home.

Walk around your home. Check for cracks in the foundation. The sooner you find cracks the easier it is to mend them, not so much when water has entered and spread the crack deeper and further.

Shut off the water to any outdoor faucets.

To winterize your home might seem like a huge project, but it is completely worth it to have peace of mind when it comes to the long winter season. Keep checking back at the Kratos blog for more home owning tips.