Preparing homes, vehicles and yourself for winter can help save money

Scott Mantas retrieves a snow blower to be repaired at Pehrson's Power Equipment in Midvale on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. The fall season will soon turn to winter, which means increased costs for gloves, coats, boots, snow shovels, snow blowers, snow tires, chains, anti-freeze and car checkups.

Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY As the mercury begins to dip week by week, it will not be long before Old Man Winter wraps his frosty arms around the Beehive State.

With snow already at higher elevations, it's not too late to start getting ready for the inevitability of winter in Utah, and that means people must prepare their vehicles, their homes and themselves for the cold.

A few well-placed preparations will save money and hardship in the coming months.

Preparing homes

At home, little things such as insulating wall sockets, changing regular bulbs to compact fluorescent or LED light bulbs, insulating windows and wrapping up water heaters can lead to savings on energy bills. Installing added insulation can save the average homeowner $50 to $100 per year, according to Questar Gas.

Also, insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so the water supply will be less likely to freeze. To the extent possible, weatherproof the home by adding weather-stripping, insulation, insulated doors and storm windows or thermal-pane windows.

Those who plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating need to have their chimneys or flues inspected each year to detect any buildup of soot. That can prevent a house fire. Also, those using a fireplace, wood stove or kerosene heater should install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. They should be tested monthly, and the batteries should be replaced twice a year.

"Get your furnace tuned up so that it's working at its peak efficiency," added Robert West, Home Depot sales specialist. "And change your furnace filter often every three months."

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Preparing homes, vehicles and yourself for winter can help save money