There are a few things you can count on every winter: birds flying south, frost dancing upon window panes, and your neighbors suddenly forgetting how to drive.

But depending on how well your home is prepared for the cold weather, you may associate other things with winter, like chilly rooms and an ineffective heating system. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do this winter to be better prepared for the cold weather. Not only will your home be more comfortable, you’ll improve its energy efficiency, too. (Now you’re warming up to the idea, eh?)

Here are a few things you can do this season to prepare for the cold.

1. Seal your ceiling.

This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about the importance of air sealing your home, and it surely won’t be the last. But air sealing a house is the equivalent of putting on long underwear. It helps trap the heat, keeping things nice and toasty, and the warm air right where you want it.

Even better, air sealing can be done with a little silicone caulk, weather stripping tape, and a canister of expandable foam—all of which can be found at your favorite hardware store.

2. Add insulation.

Air sealing should take top priority when you’re buttoning up your home this winter, but once you’ve got that crossed off your list, what should you focus on? One of the best next steps is to add insulation to your attic.

Air sealing stops the flow of air through your attic, while insulation helps slow down how fast the heat escapes into your attic. Combine them and you’ve got a pretty effective one-two punch to help combat energy loss.

3. Maintain—and maybe upgrade—your heating system.

When was the last time you had your HVAC inspected? Even simpler, when was the last time you changed the filter? If your system is having a difficult time keeping up with the needs of your household, even after you’ve sealed and insulated your home, it may be that it needs a little love. Putting in a new filter now means your system won’t have to strain all season, and an inspection can help determine if there are any other problems you might not be able to see.

Or maybe you need to take things a step further. Heating and cooling systems can make up as much as 50 percent of your energy budget; an old or inefficient system could be wasting energy you don’t even know about. We can help you upgrade your system and learn more about what your best options are.

4. Take care of the details.

After you’ve dealt with the big three above, there are still lots of little ways you can help your home use energy more efficiently this winter. Quite a few more, actually. From letting your dishes air-dry to letting in the sun, your smallest daily decisions can add up to a big impact on your energy consumption.

Still have questions? We’re here to help! Contact us today to learn more.