What do you do to prepare an old house for winter?

1. 59

   j.amieposted 13 years ago

   What do you do to prepare an old house for winter?

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2. 0

   Yarightposted 13 years ago

   I would start by turning off the water to the outside. And then drain the water out of the hose if there is one attached. I do this so that the chances of a pipe freezing are minimal. Because, if one does freeze in the spring it will most likely start leaking.
   
   The second thing I would do is get the plastic for the windows. Even in new houses drafts can still come through. On the packaging it says it can reduce your heating bill substantially.
   
   Another thing is to grab some adhesive foam stripes for the doors. Put them on the top and side of the door to eliminate drafts, and to provide an air tight seal.
   
   Change the filter in your furnace so it can blow more hot air better. Close the doors, and or heating ducks to rooms that you don't go into very often.
   
   Another thing that might help is to grab a space heater, and turn the furnace in the house down to around 65-70. It will save in the long run, and keep you warm.
   
   Not much else I can think of right now.

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3. 59

   j.amieposted 13 years ago

   Thanks! Great reply. I've done everything so far except the seal around the doors and the space heaters.  I just keep thinking there's something else I might be able to do that I haven't thought of yet.

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4. 59

   OmNaserposted 13 years ago

   Put Heaters in every floor, thick blankets and drink hot Chocolate

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5. 60

   Rabid Pumaposted 13 years ago

   I don't know if this is universally true, but in my house electrical outlets on perimeter walls let out a huge amount of heat (try putting your hand over one). I put outlet covers over all of mine.
   
   You might also check the insulation in your rafters. It's a relatively pricey thing to do, but if your insulation thickness is low you can blow in more at fairly reasonable prices; it would probably save you money in the long run if you're going to be in the same house for years.

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6. 48

   AboutCabinetsposted 13 years ago

   i think i would put on curtains made of warm cloth on the windows, apart from that i would put on carpets and rugs on the floors to keep them warm, i would put on warmer cloth on chinks where cold air might come from, keep the heaters on for better part of the night as nights are too cold to bear,

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7. 89

   JillKostowposted 13 years ago

   We cover our drafty windows in plastic.  By doing that we minimize the wind that whips through our house and it helps maintain the heat alot better!!!!

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