Old Man Winter is sneaking up on us once again. He does this every year, and yet many of us find ourselves unprepared when he springs out from behind the bushes, drops the temperatures down into the Arctic range and unleashes a torrent of wind and snow. Beyond the discomfort that the cold can bring, winter can usher in a series of expenses – but there are ways to cut down on potentially expensive heating and repair bills.

So, for all of the procrastinators out there, here are some very simple, basic tips for preparing your Michigan Home for Old Man Winter’s inevitable onslaught:

  • Seal as many of your house’s drafty areas as possible (screens, windows, doors, etc.) with weather stripping, plastic or caulk.
  • Insulate your attic, preferably with about a foot of insulating material like fiberglass. Obviously, heat rises so a well insulated attic will keep your heat where it belongs: inside your living spaces.
  • Ensure that your furnace is in tip-top condition. Have an HVAC technician check it over and replace the furnace filter. If your Michigan home is radiator heated, it’s recommended that you open the pipes slightly and bleed out some air. When water appears, close the valve.
  • Make sure that all of your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functioning properly and have fresh batteries.
  • Cover exposed pipes with insulating material or heat tape, and insulate electrical outlets against heat loss and air leaks.

Use these quick-and-easy tips to get started and like the proverbial snowball rolling down a hill, you’ll have your Michigan house winterized in no time. You’ll save money on heat and maybe even prevent your pipes from bursting during serious cold snaps.