8 Cheap Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter

The Environmental Protection Agencys Energy Star program says the average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills with almost half of that going toward heating and cooling.

To add insult to injury, you could be throwing money out the window if your home isnt energy-efficient. Leaking windows, poorly insulated water heaters, and clogged air filters are all budget busters.

But you might be able to fix your homes energy deficiencies yourself for cheap. In the video below, Money Talks News founder Stacy Johnson explains five do-it-yourself winterization projects that can be completed with supplies from a hardware store. Check it out and then read on for more ways to prepare your home for winter

Click here to watch Preparing Your Home for Winter on MoneyTalksNews.com

Now, lets hash out Stacys ways and add a few more winterizing projects

According to the advocacy group Energy Impact Illinois, leaks around your house can add up to a 15 to 35 percent air loss. Instead of heating the whole neighborhood this winter, check for leaks by holding up a lit candle to common trouble spots like:

If the candle flickers, youve got a leak. Pick up a tube of caulk (about $5 in hardware stores) and use it to seal up any leaks.

Insulation helps keep cold air out and warm air in during the winter. The easiest place to add insulation is in your attic. The Energy Star program recommends having 12 to 15 inches of insulation in your attic. If youre not sure how much you have, look at an unfinished portion of your attic floor. If the insulation is sitting below the floor joists, you need to add more.

As we mentioned in the video, it will cost about $500 to buy the insulation for an average-size house. It should take about two to three hours to complete the project. If youre not sure how to install insulation, check out this how-to video on Monkeysee.

If your air filter is dirty, your central air will have to work harder to heat your home, costing you more money. Over time, dirty and clogged filters can also cause bigger (and costlier) problems.

See more here:
8 Cheap Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter