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Your winter home maintenance checklist — what to do (and buy) right now

We’re not even halfway through winter, and already the season has been a wild one, delivering record-breaking snow and freezing temps across the country. To make sure your home can, well, weather anything Mother Nature throws its way, a winter home maintenance checklist is a must. Though you can — and should — do much of your prep in advance, you can tackle other tasks as the season wears on and you see how your house handles the cold.

Quick Overview

Not sure where to start? As a longtime home editor who has worked for HGTV and This Old Houseand the owner of a 1940s cabin that experiences its fair share of brutal weather — I keep a list of winter maintenance tasks that I’m happy to share, along with the supplies you need to get the job(s) done.

One Amazon order and a bit of sweat equity later and you’ll be reveling in your comfy, cozy, weatherproofed home. For more tips, here’s how to prep for power outages and what to do in case of winter storms.

1. Insulate your windows.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), about 30% of a home’s heating energy is lost through windows. That’s a lot of waste! And they may be leaking air without you knowing it. If you feel a draft near a window, that’s an obvious sign that it needs to be sealed, but sometimes it’s more subtle. To check, light a candle or stick of incense and carefully move it near windows and doors; if the flame flickers or the smoke drifts, you have a draft.

2. Seal cracks.

Windows and doors are prime spots for cracks and gaps that air can move through, bringing a chill inside. The DOE recommends using weatherstripping to seal air leaks around movable building components, such as window tracks, and using caulk for anything stationary, such as a door frame. Replacing both is easy to do: For weatherstripping, simply remove the old strips and replace them (many have adhesive backs); for caulk, scrape off the old stuff and apply a new bead with a caulk gun. Generally, silicone-based caulk is best for indoor use and latex-based is best for outdoor use.

3. Replace HVAC filters.

Did you know that almost half of your home’s energy use goes to heating and cooling? And in the winter months, your system is probably working overtime. A must for any winter home maintenance checklist: Inspect your HVAC filter monthly, and if it looks dirty or caked with buildup, change it (you can do this every three months if it appears clean). A gunked-up filter can lead to cold spots and slow down air flow, so your furnace will have to use up even more energy to keep your home comfortable.

 

4. Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

It’s scary to think about, but the chance of a home fire rises in the winter and if your furnace malfunctions, it can produce carbon monoxide, a deadly gas. You should be testing your smoke and carbon detectors monthly, but if you’ve been neglecting that task, now is the time to add it to your home maintenance checklist.

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First, check that there’s no dust clogging its vents, then press the “test” button to make sure the alarm is in good working order. If you don’t hear anything, replace the batteries; and if that doesn’t do the trick, replace the detector itself. FYI: Plan to get new smoke detectors every 10 years and new carbon monoxide detectors every seven years.

5. Clean out the fireplace.

Wood-burning fireplaces are lovely, but you can’t just toss in logs every so often and call it a day. Your firebox and chimney need upkeep, otherwise ash and creosote (a highly flammable substance) can build up. Clear out any ashes from the firebox once they build up about an inch thick — just make sure to do this once they’re completely cool, which could take up to 24 hours. Find more hot tips on how to clean your fireplace here.

6. Trim trees and shrubs.

I know, I know, it’s not prime time for gardening, but winter storms and ice can wreak havoc on tree limbs and large shrubs, and if they land on your house, that’s a whole new headache. Every so often, walk around your yard and inspect trees for signs of damage. If you notice precarious limbs or branches, especially by power lines or your roof, trim them when it’s safe or hire a pro. Remove or scatter large piles of dead leaves, which can collect snow and ice and become a slippery mess.

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

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