Winter is officially here, and if you want to protect the interior and exterior of your home, getting your home winter-ready is the way to go. Snowstorms and freezing rains can be damaging to your home, and taking the proper steps to ensure a solid maintenance plan is in place will help prevent damage from the snowstorms or freezing temperatures. Winterize your home by scheduling service and repair appointments and making sure your home is in tip-top shape.

Use these easy and simple maintenance tips to lower the cost of your energy expenses, protect your home, and keep it warm and cozy all winter long.

Replace your furnace filter.

Your furnace filter traps and removes all the airborne impurities and toxins from the air before it is conditioned. So with winter approaching, now is the perfect time to replace your dirty furnace filter. Once your filters have collected dirt, dust, and lint, it shortens the life of the filter. Not only that, it also lacks efficiency and can increase your heating bills, which is the last thing you want. Changing your filter on a regular basis will enhance your indoor air quality and improve your overall health.

Seal and caulk your windows and doors.

One way to maintain a steady energy expense is by using caulk to seal up your home exterior and some places on the interior. Open cracks cause heat loss and can increase your energy costs. To ensure a warm and cozy atmosphere this winter, it’s important not to skip this step. From door frames and crevices to outside windows, you want to make sure there aren’t any drafts in your home. By properly caulking windows and doors, you’ll close up those unwanted air leaks and moisture. Try to make this a habit every 5 to 10 years.

Reverse your ceiling fans.

If your ceiling fan allows, flip the fan switch and adjust the blades to turn in a clockwise direction. Remember, heat rises while cooler air stays near the floor. Doing this (after you turn the heat on) will help regulate the warmth in your room, keeping you cozy.

Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

It’s not often that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors cross your mind. That said, you’re probably not changing the batteries as much as should unless you begin hearing that beeping noise. That’s why it’s important to get ahead of the game and swap out the old batteries for new ones before the sounds go off. Changing batteries will protect you in the long run when you need to be alerted of any danger.

Disconnect and drain your hoses.

As the temperature drops, water freezes. Disconnect any outside hoses you have hooked up and drain the water. This will prevent the pipes from expanding when they are frozen and eventually bursting. Consider installing an outside cover on each faucet you have to also prevent the pipes from freezing.

Keep your gutters clean.

Keeping your gutters clean with keep you from paying a large bill repairing roof damage. When gutters are filled with ice, snow, and any other form of gunk, it can block the spouts and will freeze when the temperature drops. With regular maintenance (twice a year), you’ll improve the longevity of your gutters and save big bucks.

Trim your trees and shrubs.

If there was ever a time to trim your tree shrubs, the time is now. In the winter, your trees can be damaged by freezing temperatures. With ice and winds, the tree limbs are more likely to break off and fall, which could likely lead to damage if the tree branches extend over your home.

Trim the branches and make sure they’re away from your powerlines and the roof. Then, consider using a plant cover to prevent freezing. For an affordable option, you can also use sheets or blankets.