Weatherproof Your Home Indoors

Weatherproof Your Home
A Checklist for Owners

Winter is only a few months away. Spending a few dollars and hours now on home maintenance will help to avoid expensive repairs and save on heating bills over the winter months!
Check window and door seals. Air leaks mean higher heating bills. Refasten loose weather-stripping. To replace stripping, purchase a weather-stripping kit. Cost: Less than $10 per opening.
Deep-clean carpets. When the windows are closed, kicked-up dust will recirculate in the air. Renting a carpet cleaner costs $20 to $30 per day, plus about $15 for cleaning solution.
Clean the furnace. This is important for furnace efficiency – whether it burns oil or gas.
Have your furnace professionally inspected and cleaned every fall. Cost: $50 to $100.
Also change the furnace filter two or three times per year (actual frequency depends on the climate in your area). Filters are located before the cold-air return, usually on the side of the furnace. If you’re not sure how to do it, ask a technician to show you. Standard filters cost about $1 each.
If you have a humidifier next to your furnace: Make sure the technician changes the pads at the annual inspection. Clean pads improve efficiency and prevent dirty air from circulating.