Where the money goes
With winter storms hitting parts of the country early, furnaces run longer and heating bills climb. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical American family spends at least $2,200 a year on energy bills, and about half of that goes to heating and cooling.
Most of the waste is not in the furnace. It is in the gaps, cracks and thin insulation that let the heat you paid for leave the building. Weatherproofing before the cold season is a weekend of work that pays back every month of the winter.
What the typical U.S. family spends per year on energy bills, per the Department of Energy.
The share of that bill that goes to heating and cooling the house.
The depth attic insulation should reach — one of the biggest sources of heat loss.
Five places to check
Work through these before the first hard freeze, while the roof is still safe to walk and a technician can still get to you on short notice.
The roof
Inspect the shingles and confirm their placement so water cannot seep through. Do it before cold weather arrives — a roof in winter is dangerous. Large gaps are a job for a quality roofing company.
Never cover roof vents or turbines. Blocking them stops air circulating and drops the whole system's efficiency.
Drafts
Cracks and holes let warm air out and cold air in, and make a steady indoor temperature impossible.
To find leaks in outside-facing walls and doors, hold a candle near the suspect area and watch the flame. Seal what you find with caulk or weather stripping.
Chimney gaps
Keep the fireplace damper closed when the fireplace is not in use — and always confirm it is fully open before starting a fire.
Look for gaps in the mortar between bricks, which let moisture build and compromise the roof's integrity, and check the flue for soot accumulation.
The furnace
Have it thoroughly inspected by a certified technician before the season. Change the filter once a month and vacuum the heater vents in living areas.
A furnace older than 15 years is a candidate for replacement; a high-efficiency variable-speed unit can save hundreds a year in utility costs.
The attic
The attic is one of the biggest culprits in heat loss. High bills and rooms that will not stay warm usually point there first.
Insulation should be roughly five inches deep. Hire a professional, or add it yourself with a rental blowing unit.
Before every fire: confirm the damper is fully open. A closed damper sends smoke and carbon monoxide into the room instead of up the flue.
Ready for winter
A few minor adjustments cut both the safety risks and the wasted energy, and the house simply holds its heat better. None of this is difficult work — it is only work that has to happen before the cold does.