Before real chill sets in, winterize home

While neither the calendar nor the weather forecast say “summer” anymore, it’s still too nice outside to think winter.

That means this is an optimal time to get your home ready for winter, said Todd Hedderly, a commercial sales specialist for Lowe’s.

“Most people wait until it gets cold and say, ‘Guess I’d better do something,’ ” Hedderly said. “If you do it now, it’s more comfortable to work outside and take your time.”

The big focus is on energy savings. And the best way to save energy (and money) is to give heat no chance to escape. Here are 10 tips to help you batten down your hatches and your heating bills.

Add Insulation

Attic insulation is critical in winter, as heat rises. Inadequate insulation allows heat to move into the attic and out of the house, meaning the heating system must burn more energy to keep the set temperature. The U.S. Department of Energy says 31 percent of air escaping from a home exits through the ceiling, walls and floor, and that’s where insulation makes a difference. Older homes are often poorly insulated. According to the Department of Energy, only 20 percent of homes built before 1980 are adequately insulated. Blown-in circulation in both the walls and attic can make a huge difference. Proper insulation can cut your heating (and cooling) bills by 10 percent.

Tend to the Roof

Inspect the roof carefully. The recent wind storm may have loosened shingles. Replace any loose or cracked shingles.

Clean the Gutters

Also make sure the downspouts drain properly. Ice dams, which often result from clogged gutters or poorly insulated attics, can seriously damage roofs and lead to water damage to the roof and interior of the house.

Keep Things Flowing

Freezing pipes can burst and lead to major damage. Turn off the central valve that sends water to outdoor faucets, and cover the faucets with an insulating cover. Wrap any pipes exposed in the basement or in exterior walls in insulation. Insulating blankets designed for hot water tanks keep water hot longer, which means the heater won’t have to expend as much energy.

Seal Things Up

It doesn’t take much of a leak to cost money, Hedderly said. All those little leaks can be like keeping a window open.

First, find the leaks by going along the edges of doors and windows with a lit candle or incense stick. If there’s air blowing the flame or smoke, you’ve got a leak. Caulk along the outside of windows and door frames, as well as around vents, outlets and plumbing, and add weatherstripping. Make sure all doors leading outside have door sweeps to keep air inside.

Look for Little Things

You’d be surprised at one source of leaks — electrical outlets. Duck Products makes outlet and switch insulation that goes behind the plates to seal out drafts and keep heat in. Check that the flue in your chimney shuts properly. Up to 14 percent of a home’s air loss is through the fireplace. And make sure the flue is shut when the fireplace isn’t in use. An open flue can be the equivalent of an open window.

Don’t Forget the Garage

The garage is often overlooked as not quite indoors, not quite outdoors. But attached garages are sometimes heated, which means the furnace has to work to keep it warm. Even if it’s unheated, an attached garage can be a barrier to cold air coming into the home. The garage door is the biggest way to seal in your garage. Proper weatherstripping around the bottom of the garage door as well as around both the interior and exterior doors will help keep in heat.

Attend to Window Air Conditioners

Ideally, they should be taken out of windows in the fall, then cleaned and properly stored. If, for some reason, you have to keep the window unit in through the winter, make sure you have an insulating cover to protect the unit and help block air leaks.

Look to the Windows

Windows can be a sieve of heat, causing 10 percent of air escaping the house, according to the Department of Energy. Caulking and weatherstripping can help. Replacing screens with energy-efficient glass storm windows can make a huge difference, up to 50 percent less air loss. But even that may not be enough if you have an older home and single-pane windows. Plastic sheeting — applied to the trim with an adhesive and tightened with a hair dryer — won’t save you hundreds of dollars, Hedderly said. But it’s part of an overall effort to stop heat from escaping and makes being near the windows less drafty.

Take Care of the Furnace

Schedule your inspection and maintenance now, if you didn’t do it in the spring. A new furnace filter will help your heating system work more efficiently, Hedderly said. Check the filter monthly and replace when necessary.