The cost to winterize a house can vary depending on the tasks you need to do and whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to winterize a home is $200 to $250, but it can be much higher if you need appliance repairs or replacements. However, you can also save money by doing some tasks yourself or choosing cheaper alternatives.
Here are some examples of different types and levels of projects for winterizing a house and their estimated costs:
DIY Winterizing
If you’re handy and want to save money, you can do some winterizing tasks yourself with minimal cost and effort. Some of the things you can do to winterize your house include:
- Reversing your ceiling fans to push warm air down (free)
- Draining your outdoor faucets to prevent freezing and splitting (free)
- Cleaning out your gutters to prevent ice dams (free)
- Inspecting your roof for leaks and repairing small damages (free)
- Weatherstripping or caulking doors and windows to seal air gaps ($35 to $95 per door, $20 to $65 per window)
- Adding window insulation or curtains to reduce heat loss ($20 to $65 per window, $28 to $90 per curtain)
- Changing furnace filters and humidifier pads to improve air quality and efficiency ($10 to $30 per filter, $30 per pad)
- Installing a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically ($20 to $150)
A programmable thermostat allows you to automatically adjust your heating settings based on your schedule, optimizing energy usage and reducing costs by avoiding unnecessary heating when you’re not at home or when you’re asleep. Other simple tasks like weather-stripping windows and doors, applying caulk to gaps, and adding insulation to attics or crawl spaces can significantly enhance your home’s energy efficiency. By addressing these areas, you create a more airtight environment, minimizing the cold air infiltration and ensuring that the warm air produced by your heating system remains inside. These relatively simple (and inexpensive) home updates can keep your home cozy for you and your family, and your heating bill manageable.
Average Project Winterizing
If you need more than basic maintenance and upgrades, you may want to hire a professional to winterize your house. Some of the tasks that require professional expertise and equipment include:
- Inspecting and servicing your HVAC system to ensure optimal performance ($320)
- Draining and flushing your boiler to remove sediment and prevent corrosion ($200 to $600)
- Adding pipe insulation to protect pipes from freezing and bursting ($100 to $1,000, depending on amount or size)
- Inspecting and cleaning your chimney to prevent fire hazards and carbon monoxide poisoning ($300)
- Winterizing your lawn irrigation, pool, and outdoor faucets ($75 to $250, $250, free)
- Trimming branches that could fall on your roof or power lines ($460)
The cost of hiring a professional can vary depending on the task and the level of difficulty. However, hiring a professional can also save you time and hassle, as well as prevent costly damages in the future.
Full Project Winterizing
If you want to fully winterize your home and make it more energy-efficient and comfortable, you may need to invest in more permanent solutions. These include:
- Replacing windows with double or triple pane glass to reduce heat loss and noise ($3,000 to $10,000)
- Adding insulation to walls, attic, basement, and crawl spaces to improve thermal resistance ($1,500 to $15,000)
- Upgrading appliances to Energy Star models that use less electricity and water ($500 to $4,000)
- Installing solar panels to generate renewable energy and reduce dependence on the grid ($9,000 to $10,250)
These projects can cost anywhere from $13,500 to $39,250 or more, according to Fixr.com. However, they can also improve your home’s value and lower your energy bills in the long run. Plus, you may be eligible for tax credits or rebates for some of these projects.
Conclusion
Winterizing your house is not only a smart move for your wallet, but also for your comfort and safety. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, there are many ways to winterize your house on any budget. By following these tips, you can prepare your home for winter and enjoy the chillier season in a cozy and efficient home.
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