The Ultimate Guide to Winterizing Your Home in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Winter in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula can be a chilling time of year, especially when it comes to keeping your home heated without breaking the bank. Winterizing your home can be a great way to keep the indoor temperature of your home regulated while also being energy efficient. At Astro U.P., we’re here to help you stay warm with the proper windows and doors your home needs to keep heat in and the snowy cold weather out! Here is our guide on how to winterize a house.
Do a Thorough Gutter Cleaning
Fall brings all kinds of debris to your gutters and downspouts, and this means they must be cleaned before winter. This assists in preventing the buildup of snow and ice, which can get under your home’s shingles and cause water damage and leaks in your home. Periodically check your gutters throughout winter to make sure snow and ice are not building up, so you can prevent any water damage from happening.
Use a Winter Thermostat Setting
Programming your thermostat for winter is a great way to create energy savings for your home and lower your heating costs. The best way to save money with your thermostat is to use a smart thermostat or programmable thermostat to set your thermostat.
It’s recommended to keep your thermostat temperature at 68-70 degrees when you’re home and 65 degrees when you’re away from home or sleeping. If you have a set schedule, you can program your thermostat to adjust the temperature depending on the time of day. If you have a smart thermostat, you can even adjust your home’s temperature setting from your phone.
Make Sure You Have Pipe Insulation
Properly insulating your pipes during winter is extremely important as frozen pipes can lead to a pipe burst and other expensive damage. It’s important to insulate your pipes in areas of your home that don’t receive as much heating like your basement, crawl space, or attic. Be sure that all outdoor access points for water are shut off for winter as well. If temperatures are getting cold and you notice freezing starting to happen, start a slow drip from your faucet to prevent freezing.
Winterize Windows
The best windows to keep your home warm in wintertime are vinyl windows because they are engineered to reduce any leakage of air. Wooden windows last longer, but they warp over time allowing air in and out of your home, reducing your home’s energy efficiency. Vinyl windows can last 20 years or more, and the frame of the window itself has insulation that helps with keeping your home warm with little air leakage. Our experienced professionals can assist with upgrading your windows to this efficient and cost effective vinyl option.
Window Winterizing Kit
Another way to decrease air leakage through windows in your home is to use a window winterizing kit. These window insulation kits include a film that goes over your windows to help prevent cold air from coming into your home during winter. The downside to this method is that it is not a permanent fix and you will be unable to open your windows while the shrink wrap is on.
Window Caulking
Caulking your windows is another great way to prevent cold air leakage into your home and increase your energy efficiency. First, find any significant air leakages. These will be the places for you to focus on sealing your windows with caulk.
Your first step is to make sure you have a caulking gun and putty knife for an efficient sealing process. Use exterior caulk to fill in the outdoor cracks, and acrylic latex caulk to fill the cracks indoors. Removable caulk can also be used to completely seal windows for wintertime. This method is a great way to seal the heat in your home.
To prevent the long process of sealing your windows for winter with caulk, talk to us about acquiring storm windows and vinyl windows for your home!
Winterize Door
Drafty doors can be the bane of your existence during the upper peninsula winters. Sourcing the best exterior doors for your home is the best way to reduce air leakage from your doors during winter. Another great way to protect your home from door air leakage is to use a draft guard on your door.
Door Draft Guard
Door draft guards are a simple addition to your exterior door that can greatly reduce the air leakage from outside into your home. This can be a simple fix for your doors during wintertime, keeping your wallet full while you stay cozy and warm. The only downside to this fix is it can make your door a bit harder to open and close. It is also not a permanent fix.
Your windows and doors are an important part of keeping your home warm during winter while keeping your home energy efficient. For air tight assurance that you are getting the best windows and doors to keep your home warm and energy efficient, trust our experts to provide you with the best windows and doors for your home. If you’re ready to stay warm and toasty for winter in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula while reducing your heating bill, contact us today!
