It is important to prepare for the cold winter months well in advance of their arrival. If you wait too long, there are many necessary jobs that will simply not get done, such as any work outside in the year, as the ground will be too cold. So, when you are preparing to winterize your home, do the outside work first and save the inside jobs for when the weather prevents you from going out. There are a number of ways to get your home ready for the weather changes that the winter will bring. Although the inside of the home does not get the same exposure to the elements that the outside does, it is important to take steps to prepare each part of the house, inside and out, for what the winter may bring.

Your Interior

If you live in an area where there is a highly likely chance of inclement weather, such as snow and ice storms, high velocity winds and other potentially damaging elements, make sure the inside of your home is ready with supplies to last you in the event that the weather prevents you from leaving your home for a long period of a time. Make a small survival kit for yourself and your family, keeping canned goods, bottles of water and toilet paper in a storage area that is accessible from the inside of the house.

Also, to make more room for any necessary groceries, free up space in your storage areas such as a refrigerator or pantry by removing any items that can be stored outside. Rather than placing these items, including canned goods, sodas and even certain vegetables, outside in the open air, move them into storage bins or boxes and place them in a protected, but unheated area, such as garage or shed. This will help you free up space for your winter survival kit or any other items such as blankets that you may want to keep on hand to help you get through the cold months ahead.

When you are preparing the inside of your house for the winter months, take good care of your radiators by “bleeding” them. Bleeding the radiators should be done on an average of two times a year and just before the winter comes, you will need to take a look at the pipes and make sure they will conduct heat and water properly. Bleeding the radiators means that you will need to get out any air that may have become trapped in the lines which can block the flow of water.

Depending on the age of your home and the windows in it, you may want to inspect the caulking and sashes for any cold air that could potentially leak through once the wind starts to blow. Windows are typically one area of the home where heat often escapes. One way to address this issue would be to staple a thick, clear plastic over the windows. A more expensive, but a more efficient option would be to consider replacing the window altogether.

For more information on how to help your homes efficiency, visit the DOE's website.