Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

 

Tips to help you prepare your home for Winter

Updated: 2/13/26

Get ready for winter and make sure your home is prepared for efficiency with high-quality air filtration and heating options. Even if you don't live where it gets extremely cold, these energy-saving steps will cut costs and keep your home safe and warm.

1. Insulate pipes and fixtures. Insulating both hot and cold-water pipes and fixtures can help regulate temperature. If you insulate hot water pipes, it helps hold the heat in, while insulating cold water pipes will help you avoid frozen or burst pipes during extreme cold spells.
   
   
2. Seal up doors and windows. Adding weather stripping, window film, fresh caulk, or even thermal curtains can help keep the cold air outside and the hot air inside. Sealing the house from winter drafts helps reduce the energy necessary to keep your home cozy and warm. Not only do leaks and drafts cause your furnace to work harder, but they also cause wear and tear to your unit and increase your energy bill.
   
   
3. Inspect internal furnace components. Your furnace should be inspected annually. Whether you enjoy doing your own projects or you prefer to hire a professional, making sure the internal components are in good condition will keep your system working safely and efficiently. While your furnace is being inspected, you can also consider having your air ducts cleaned - since your air will be rotating through your home more through winter than other months, it’s important that air ducts aren’t filled with mold or other contaminants.
   
   
4. Change your furnace filter. One of the simplest winter house maintenance tips is to replace your furnace filter regularly. This helps keep your indoor air clean and your heating system running properly. A constantly dirty filter can reduce the life of your HVAC system by up to half! Why risk that when it’s so simple to change an air filter? You can even bulk order your air filters so you have a year’s supply at a time. Learn how to measure air filter size and what the right MERV rating is for your air quality needs.
   
   

   Need	Air Contaminants	Recommendation
   Basic	Large dust, lint, furnace soot	MERV 8
   Allergy	Pet dander, dust mites, fine debris	MERV 11
   Healthy	Bacteria, wood smoke, virus carriers	MERV 13
   Odor	Stale air, cooking smells, fireplace	Any carbon-pleated

   *MERV 13 air filters can capture airborne viruses and bacteria, making them a great option during flu season and throughout winter when more people stay indoors. SHOP MERV 13
5. Move furniture away from vents. Flowing hot air will have a hard time heating a room if it's cut off by furniture. Make sure your couch, dresser, or bed isn't blocking the room's source of warmth. If it’s unavoidable that a piece of furniture will rest over an air vent, look into ways to lift the furniture so your air vent has some clearance to disperse air into your home properly.
   
   
6. Test your thermostat. Make sure your thermostat is working properly and set to the best temperature for winter. There are many ways to cut costs on energy bills by programming your thermostat to heat your home to the right temperature at the right time. By inspecting your unit and thermostat before those cold winter months really set in, you’ll be better prepared to address problems without risking freezing temperatures in your home.
   
   
   
7. Switch air appliance use. Most people use a fan throughout the summer months but moving air can actually make it feel 4 degrees colder. If you’re less tolerant of cooler temperatures, leaving the fan off and adding a humidifier can help increase your perception of warmth. Humidifiers add moisture into dry winter air to help you feel more comfortable all winter long.
   
   
8. Stock up on de-icing salt. Make sure your family and friends are safe on your property by keeping de-icing salt on hand. Nobody wants bruises – or worse, broken bones – from a fall on stairs or a sidewalk. Spreading de-icing salt as needed is an easy way to prevent winter-related accidents. You can also spread salt on your driveway to prevent your car from slipping, especially if you park on an incline.
   
   
9. Inspect your chimney. The coziness of a fire adds to holiday ambiance and helps heat your home at the same time. Having a chimney or flue inspected and cleaned by a professional can prevent fires and decrease your chance of carbon monoxide poisoning. If your chimney is purely decorative, consider investing in a barrier to prevent heat from escaping through the chimney or from cold air coming in.

Be prepared. Keep your home maintenance current and have an emergency kit ready in case you get snowed in. If you live in an area with extreme weather, get a portable generator so you can stay warm and cook meals during power outages.

Follow this checklist to cover the basics and enjoy the holidays without worrying about winter emergencies.

Do you want to learn more ways to save energy and keep your home healthy? Check out our Helpful Tips page for great ideas!