Keeping your house comfortably warm all winter without raising your energy bills can be a challenge. Fortunately, you—and some supplies from a quality home and hardware store—can make your home easier to keep warm while staying energy efficient. Below are some improvements to increase your comfort.

How Can You Keep Your House Warm During the Colder Months?

1. Replace Weatherstripping

The weatherstripping around your door helps create a seal when the door is closed to keep outside air and precipitation from coming in. Over time, the weatherstripping can flatten, harden, and crack, losing its ability to conform to the shape of the doorframe. To replace it, take measurements of the area that needs to be sealed (such as the bottom of the door or inside of the frame) and then buy the appropriate length of material from a hardware store. Most types can be cut to fit specifications.

2. Seal Drafty Windows

Windows that are old or worn may let drafts in around them, which is a sign that there’s constant transference with the outside air, which can keep the area cold. Use some caulking or spray foam to fill in obvious gaps around the frame. Once the caulking or foam has set, you can sand it down to where it’s smooth and use paint supplies to match it to the surrounding wall.

3. Replace Your HVAC or Furnace Filter

Your HVAC or furnace likely has an air filter that catches debris and pollutants that erode the system and reduce air quality in your home. These filters should be replaced every few months—more often if you have pets since they produce dander—to prevent clogs. If the filter gets clogged, airflow will be limited, the parts can wear out faster, and the unit will lose efficiency, causing it to struggle to heat your home. Replace your filter before winter to boost your unit’s efficiency.

4. Inspect Insulation

Insulation can settle and degrade over time, losing its R-value. Check the insulation in your attic, basement, and crawlspace for signs of mold, flatness, or damage (such as pests tearing exposed materials) and have it replaced if needed. It will make your home more energy-efficient and help regulate the temperature throughout the building.

If you need home improvement and paint supplies to prepare for winter, reach out to Ideal Supplies, Inc. in Covington, KY. Since 1945, their family-owned and -operated hardware store has provided quality materials, including paint, renovation, and landscape supplies. With excellent customer service, they’ll recommend the best products for your needs, and if they don’t have what you need, they’ll order it. Learn more about their inventory online and call the hardware store at (859) 491-6666.