5 Ways to Winterize Your Home and Protect Your Budget [Video]

Investing in a few home maintenance projects now could help reduce your costs when the cold weather hits. Not only can you trim your heating expenses, but you can also avoid unexpected emergency repairs later.

“There are a lot of things you can do for free,” says Ethan O’Donnell, deputy editor of FamilyHandyman.com, a website about home improvement projects.

That includes relatively simple steps like clearing the gutters and cleaning air filters in the HVAC system.

There are also bigger investments that can pay off in the long run, like insulating the attic or buying a more energy-efficient water heater. In 2023, U.S. households spent an average of $2,458 on home maintenance, according to Angi, a website that helps homeowners find service providers.

Here are the most cost-effective steps experts suggest you take before the temperature drops:

1. Check for heat loss

Start by walking around your home close to windows and doors with a candle, suggests Angie Hicks, co-founder of Angi.

“If the …