Winter is nearly here and many places already have snow on the ground. Are you ready to deal with the blustery cold? Winterizing and weatherproofing your home ensures it can stand up to those colder temperatures, keeping out the cold air while keeping you nice and toasty. The last thing you need is huge heating bills that take away from your holiday budget.

To help you get your entire home ready for the winter months, here’s a look at some of the best tips and tricks to follow, so you don’t end up with Jack Frost nipping at your nose indoors.

Tip #1 – Seal Those Attic Leaks

Attics often have gaps that allow up to 30% of heated air to leak outside. Pull back your insulation to find any cutouts in drywall for outlets, pies, fans, or electrical fixtures. Adding more insulation to the attic may also help.

Tip #2 – Install a Door Sweep

A door sweep – a flexible piece of plastic or rubber held to the bottom of your door – helps stop drafts. Install one on your exterior doors to eliminate any drafts and make your home more energy-efficient this winter.

Tip #3 – Plug Any Household Leaks

Any household leaks around doors or windows or any cracks or gaps in siding need to be plugged. A can of gap-sealer and a tube of caulk can help you out. Caulk works on small cracks and foam sealer is perfect for those larger gaps. Don’t forget about vents, chimneys, and skylights.

If windows are a big problem, you may even want to consider installing new windows like Amerimax windows Denver before we get to the coldest winter months. It’s an investment, but well worth it if you improve energy efficiency now and in the summer months, too.

Tip #4 – Add Storm Doors

Storm doors offer additional protection against the harsh cold during the winter months. They’re usually made of aluminum, plastic, or wood, and offer additional insulation around the entry points of your home. This ensures you keep cold air out and that warm, toasty air inside.

Tip #5 – Clean Your Cooling Devices

According to This Old House, it’s important to clean any cooling devices around your home. Ceiling fans should be cleaned and then make sure you change the rotation so you’re pushing warm air down. Remove your window AC windows, vacuum the filters and coils, and then store them in a dry, cool area that will keep out bugs or dust.