10 Essential Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter
Winter can bring beautiful snow — but also hidden hazards and unnecessary expenses if your home isn’t ready. Proper preparation helps you stay warm, safe, and energy-efficient through the cold months. Here are 10 smart steps to winterize your home, based on advice from Consumer Reports.
1. Set Your Thermostat Strategically
Reduce your heating costs by finding the right balance: Consumer Reports recommends keeping your thermostat around 68°F when you’re awake.
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat to lower it to ~62°F at night or when you’re away.
- If you’re traveling or won’t be home, don’t drop the temp below 55°F — too low and you risk freezing pipes.
2. Check and Maintain Your Heating System
Your heating system works hard in winter, so give it a pre-season check.
- If you have a furnace or boiler, schedule a professional service appointment.
- Replace or clean the air filter in forced-air systems to keep airflow efficient and reduce energy waste.
- Inspect cold-air entry points like attics, basements, or crawl spaces — seal any drafts around doors, windows, and pipe/wire penetrations.
3. Protect Exposed Pipes
Freezing pipes are a major risk in winter.
- Insulate exposed plumbing, especially in unheated spaces like basements or attics.
- Be extra careful with pipes located along exterior walls — they’re often the first to feel the cold.
4. Prevent Ice Dams on Your Roof
Ice dams happen when heat escapes into the attic, melts snow, and then refreezes at the roof’s edge. The result? Potential water damage.
- Improve your attic’s insulation to keep it colder and reduce snow melting.
- Make sure gutters are clean and clear — clogged gutters can worsen ice dam formation.
5. Clean and Check Your Gutters and Roof
This is critical for winter safety and preventing water issues.
- Clear leaves, debris, and any blockages from gutters and downspouts.
- Inspect your roof for loose or damaged shingles — fix them before the first heavy snow or ice hits.
- Trim any tree branches close to your roof — heavy snow or ice can make them break and damage your house.
6. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
With more heating appliances running in winter (furnaces, space heaters, fireplaces), safety devices are even more important.
- Replace batteries in both smoke and CO detectors if you haven’t done so recently.
- Vacuum dust from detectors using a soft brush to help keep them functioning properly.
- Ensure you have a CO detector on every level of your home if you use fuel-burning heat or have a generator.
7. Use Space Heaters Safely
Space heaters can help warm specific areas, but they carry risks if misused.
- Use models with tip-over protection and automatic shut-off.
- Avoid using extension cords — plug heaters directly into a wall outlet.
- Inspect the power cord regularly for damage.
8. Prepare Backup Power Wisely
Winter storms can knock out power — having a backup is smart, but safety is key.
- If you use a portable generator, place it at least 20 feet away from your house, with the exhaust pointed away from doors/windows.
- Consider having a manual or automatic transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician to safely connect it to your home.
9. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Tightly sealed homes in winter can build up indoor pollutants.
- Avoid burning candles or smoking indoors.
- Store chemicals (like paints, glues, pesticides) away from main living areas.
- Use a high-quality air filter in forced-air systems — ideally one that captures very small particles.
- If keeping windows closed, briefly open them (even 5 minutes a day) to let stale air out and fresh air in.
10. Reduce Fall Risks Around Your Home
Winter means ice — and ice means slip hazards.
- Stock up on ice melt for driveways, walkways, and steps.
- Decide now who will shovel snow when it comes. Shoveling can be physically demanding, so don’t hesitate to hire help if needed.
Final Thoughts
Preparing your home for winter isn’t just about staying warm — it’s about keeping yourself safe, saving on energy bills, and avoiding costly emergencies (like frozen pipes or roof damage). Follow these 10 steps from Consumer Reports, and you’ll be in a much stronger position when the cold weather hits.
