According to data that came out in October 2022 from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), we’ll pay 28% more to heat our homes this winter (Oct. – Mar.) than last year, thanks to rising fuel costs and colder forecasted temperatures.

So if you’re thinking cozy sweaters, thick socks and hot drinks, we are too. But depending on the condition and size of your home, you may want to do more.

Related: Five Reasons to Buy a House in Winter

We’ve compiled six affordable DIY home projects to improve your home’s heat retention and avoid things like frozen pipes. Hopefully these simple updates will help you use less fuel and stay comfortably warm.

Before You Start

As a first step, you might find out if your local utility company offers free home inspections for energy-savings. Once you have some projects in mind, there are plenty of resources online or you can contact a local home improvement store to see if they offer in-person workshops.

But don’t wait too long. In many areas it’s already below the freezing mark!

1. Plug Small Leaks

A good place to start is to check for small gaps and crevices throughout your house, especially along doors and window sills. Those small gaps could cause a major rise in your heating bill.

Cracks (less than 1/4-inch wide) found by windows and door frames, plumbing fixtures and pipes, and even ceiling fixtures can be patched up with a caulk gun. Weather stripping or a window film kit can be used around movable joints, especially windows and doors to eliminate drafts.

Estimated Time: 15 minutes to two hours depending on home size

Estimated Cost: Under $75

2. Add Insulation Behind Outside Wall Receptacles and Electrical Devices

Kits are available with insulated foam forms that replicate your outlet receptacle shapes. By removing the plate and adding the foam insulation behind each one, you can prevent heat loss through the outlet and switch covers. Just take the screws off the plates to remove, put an insulation strip behind the plates, and screw back into the wall to properly seal them from the cold.

Estimated Time: One to two minutes per plate

Estimated Cost: $5 to $7 depending on style

3. Change Furnace Filters Monthly

During the cold months when the heater is increasingly in use, furnace filters get dirty faster, restricting airflow and increasing energy demand in the process. Many homeowners prefer pleated filters as their increased surface area can capture more air particulates. And there’s a bonus benefit to replacing your filters more frequently — cleaner, healthier air will be circulating in your home.

Estimated Time: 15 minutes

Estimated Cost: $10 to $40 per filter

4. Insulate Pipes

If you have a basement or an older home with water pipes on the exterior walls, insulating those pipes can prevent the water flowing through from freezing and bursting the pipe — which could lead to structural damage and a hefty repair bill. Foam pipe insulation looks like a giant straw with a slit down the length so you can cut it and wrap around the pipe.

Estimated Time: 20 minutes to one hour

Estimated Cost: $3 to $5 per pipe

5. Disconnect Hoses and Cover Water Spigots

If the winter regularly brings freezing cold to where you live, use insulated bonnets to cover outdoor water spigots. This stops the cold wind from blowing directly on the spigot that could lead to that spigot freezing and cracking a pipe.

Estimated Time: One minute to install

Estimated Cost: $6 each

6. Install Plastic Window Treatments and Consider Storm Doors or Windows

Replacing windows with double pane vinyl windows can cost a lot of money up front — they usually run $500 per window — but they help in reducing energy usage during the colder months. A cheaper alternative is to cover single-pane windows with a window kit or to use weather stripping to seal them.

A storm door can increase energy efficiency by sealing drafts and reducing air flow, but this may require hiring a professional to install it. Storm windows can be fabricated to the sizes needed to cover single-pane windows for about $125 per opening.

Estimated Time: One to two hours

Estimated Cost: $12 to $15 for a two-window kit, $200 to $300 for a storm door and $125 per window ($50 to $100 per hour for professional installation if needed)

We’re Here to Help

Whether you’re just thinking about buying, ready to start home-shopping in earnest, or considering a refinance, an AMS Military Mortgage Advisor will be happy to provide you with an honest and fair comparison of your mortgage options, including a wide range of affordable mortgages designed to meet your needs.

Ensuring AAFMAA Members obtain the best mortgage possible is our mission. Get your free mortgage assessment today or give us a call at 844-326-5439.