Wintertime is always an interesting time – one which can cause plenty of stress 
on your home, and on your wallet. Here are five things around your house you should keep an eye on this winter. If they aren’t working correctly, you could be literally letting your money drift off in the breeze:
1. Probably the simplest tip is to close doors after you use them, and turn off lights in rooms which will not be used in more than 5-10 minutes. This may need you need to light a candle in the bathroom instead of leaving the fan on all night, but you will be surprised on how much warmer your home will be, and how much lower your bill.
2. Ensure the major portions of your home are well-maintained. The classic idea of a home is “four walls and a roof”. While there are a lot more factors that go into a modern home, it is appropriate to ensure your roof, gutters, siding, windows, skylights, chimney, dormers, eaves, etc are in good shape and well-maintained.
3. Make sure your home is insulated. “Insulation” is a pretty wide term. You could mean the material itself, or the action of ensuring a home or other space keeps warm air in and cold air out. You can check to ensure your home is insulated with insulation material, as well as ensure that your closed windows and doors are not leaking.
4. Modernize your heating system. If you have an old tyme heating system, it’s a great idea to get a new, more efficient one.
5. Finally, if you aren’t sure, get a pro to take a look at your home. You got an inspection when you bought the home, and it may be an idea to take a look at that chunk of paperwork. However, if it’s been a while since your last inspection, see if you can get another home inspection. It’s best to know exactly what the issues are with your home, so you can decide what you are willing to live with – and what you aren’t.
Here’s to a warm and cozy holiday season!