Preparing Your Chicagoland Home for Winter: Insulation and Heating Tips

Our real estate agents are no strangers to wind and snow here in Chicagoland. In fact, we've learned more than a thing or two about how to keep your home safe, secure, and, above all, warm this winter. 

Heating and insulation tips for Chicago winters

Winter will be here before you know it, and your home will have to withstand all the challenges the season brings. Here's how to stay warm and avoid heat loss in your home in Chicagoland during the coldest months of the year. 

Update windows

Old windows are often extremely inefficient, and replacing them with modern windows can drastically improve your home's efficiency. Look for insulated double- or triple-pane windows that are Energy Star rated.

Find and seal air leaks

There are innumerable tiny and not-so-tiny places where cold air could be seeping into your home, making it more difficult to heat effectively. One of the best ways to winterize your home is to find and seal all these tiny leaks.

Leaks can often be detected by placing your hand close to a suspected area on a cold day, and, depending on the location, they can be sealed with caulk, weatherstripping, or spray foam. Some of the most common culprits include:

• Around windows and doors
• Attic and basement hatches
• Places where ducts or vents pass through a wall
• Around outlets, switch plates, recessed lighting, and baseboards.

Stop heat loss through the fireplace

It's common for older Chicago homes to have an unused fireplace. If so, make sure the chimney is properly sealed to prevent heat loss. If you do use your fireplace or wood stove, be sure to close the damper and plug the flue when not in use. 

Upgrade your home's insulation

Chicago has many beautiful, historic homes. Insulation is often newly updated in current Chicagoland homes for sale, but if you've lived in your house for many years, it's possible that the insulation is not as effective as it once was. There are several ways to improve insulation before winter:

• Invest in an insulation assessment. If you're unsure about the condition of your home's insulation, consider reaching out to a local insulation professional to conduct a thorough assessment. 
  
  
• Upgrade attic insulation. Poorly insulated roofs and attic spaces are often among the biggest sources of heat loss in the home. Adding insulation to your attic can help keep your house warmer, reduce heating costs, and lessen the likelihood of dangerous ice dams forming on your roof.
  
  
• Add insulation to floors and walls. If you've ever felt a chill as you step out of bed onto your floor on a winter morning, then you know how important a well-insulated floor can be. Insulation batts, blown-in insulation, and spray foam are all great options for floors and walls. 
  
  
• Consider blown-in insulation. Blown-in insulation is highly efficient and highly versatile, making it one of the best options for adding insulation to virtually any space. 

Plant hardy everygreens near your home

If part of your house is exposed to direct winter winds, then you can help block the wind by planting hardy evergreen trees and shrubs on the side of your house with the most direct exposure. As the plants continue to grow, they will provide a long-term buffer against cold air blowing into your house. 

Contact us today to learn more about homeownership in Chicagoland. If you're still on the hunt for your dream home, our real estate agents are here to help you find it in any of Chicago's unique and beautiful neighborhoods.