It’s that time of year again – time to put your home in the best possible condition for the winter months to come.
Although we’re blessed with relatively mild weather here in the Pacific Northwest, there are a number of things homeowners can (and should!) do to keep their home in great condition and lessen the likelihood of big repair and/or utility bills.
We’ve broken this list into multiple categories – those that are DIY projects, and those that you may want a professional to handle for you. Included are rough estimates of what these repairs might cost, whether you hire them out or complete them yourself.
Let’s take a look at what should be on your list.
DIY PROJECTS – minimal costs
- Change your furnace filters $10-30
- Weatherstrip your doors and windows $10-100
- Replace smoke detector batteries $10-30
- Replace carbon monoxide detectors/batteries $10-75
- Drain outside faucets; install freeze covers $0-$40
- Power-wash walkways and patios $0
- Clean roof $0
- Clean gutters $0
- Reverse ceiling fans $0
PRO PROJECTS – BASICS – lower budget
- Inspect/clean furnace ducts $400-$1000
- Have HVAC system cleaned/serviced $300-$600
- Replace weatherstripping $200-$400
- Install a new, efficient thermostat $150-$500
- Inspect/clean the roof $200-$600
- Inspect/clean chimney $100-$300
- Remove screens/install storm windows $100-$200
- Clean dryer vent $100-$200
- Clean gutters $150-$300
- Energy audit $0-$500
PRO PROJECTS – ROBUST VERSION – higher budget
- Install new furnace/heat pump $2000-$15000
- Add insulation $3000-$7000
- Install new ductwork $1500-$7000
- Add storm windows $2000-$6000
- Install storm doors $400-$900
- Stain or seal decks $500-$2000
- Insulate hot water pipes $100-$1500
- Insulate hot water heater $200-$500
- Clean chimney and install chimney cap $300-$800
One of the very best ways to prepare for winter is to have an energy audit. Armed with the results of the audit, you can determine how best to deploy your resources (both time and energy!) to maximize results.
Regardless of your budget, now is the time to prepare your home for winter. With energy costs rising, temperatures falling, and available labor at a premium you don’t want to be caught by surprise when the weather changes.
With our decades of experience, we’re uniquely positioned to refer you to great service providers. Need suggestions? Reach out today! We’ll be thrilled to help.
