Cold weather is on its way, whether we like it or not. While you’re busy preparing yourself for winter by breaking out your heavy coat and getting your flu shot, don’t forget to prepare your home for the onslaught of chilly temperatures as well. Here are some easy home winterizing tips that will save you money and keep you and your family warm in the coming months.

Examine your ductwork. According to Mother Earth News, leaks in your home’s ductwork can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system by up to 40%. Contact an HVAC specialist to ensure that your ducts are properly sealed and not leaking. It’s worth the investment – the California Energy Commission reports that you can shave about 10 percent off of your heating bill by sealing leaky ducts. Service Specialties Inc. offers a great product called Areoseal, Call us for more information!

Insulate. Do you have an attic, basement, or crawl spaces in your home? If so, make sure these areas are effectively insulated. Proper insulation saves energy and money, and does not have to be extremely expensive.

Check for leaks and drafts around the house. Ducts aren’t the only things that can let in cold air. Are your doors and windows properly sealed? Even wall plugs can be a source of leaks. Perform a thorough check of any openings in your house, and caulk around cracks or holes. Sometimes window leaks are beyond simple caulking or repair and need to be replaced – which is a hassle and not necessarily cheap, but will save you money in the long run.

Get your HVAC equipment cleaned. Dirt wreaks havoc on HVAC equipment, and is among the leading causes of system failure (again, according to Mother Earth News). The specialists at SSI can perform a thorough cleaning of your equipment, ensuring that it’s dirt-free, running smoothly, and up to manufacture specs!

Are you ready to winterize? Check out SSI’s Coupons and Specials page for money-saving deals to help you get your house winter-ready!