---
title: Prepare Your Home for Cold Weather
---

# Prepare Your Home for Cold Weather

* * *

Use this checklist to get ahead of cold weather challenges and prepare your home for the seasonal changes ahead.

- Plant bulbs for springtime flowers.
- Cover and/or store outdoor furniture.
- Winterize summer lawn equipment and prepare it for seasonal storage.
- Remove window screens and (if applicable) put up storm windows and doors.
- Replace damaged weather stripping and door sweeps.
- Repair damaged caulking on windows.
- Reverse ceiling fans (clockwise during winter and counterclockwise during summer).
- Clean debris from outdoor heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units.
- Cover outdoor HVAC unit grates to prevent debris from accumulating. (Cover the top grate with plywood and secure it with bricks, or cover it with a tarp, if recommended by the manufacturer.)
- Inspect whole-house humidifier systems. (Check the drain lines, valves, fans and water panels.)
- Clean gutters and downspouts.
- Check and trim dead or damaged tree limbs.
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned.
- Stock up on firewood.
- Clean gas fireplaces or have them professionally serviced. (Check the gas ignition, vacuum the interior, inspect ceramic logs for damage and perform other maintenance recommended by the manufacturer.)
- Check home heating oil or propane levels. (Order ahead to lock in fuel rates and deliveries for the season.)
- Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Check fire extinguisher expiration dates and replace extinguishers, if necessary.
- Change the batteries in flashlights and weather radios (or invest in non-battery options, such as hand-crank versions).
- Assemble a survival kit for power outages and inclement weather. (Make sure you have kits for home and travel.)
- Clean your clothes dryer exhaust duct and vacuum lint buildup around the outside of the dryer.
- Visually inspect electrical outlets for damaged or loose-fitting covers (they can be a fire hazard).
- Inspect and service cold-weather tools such as shovels, leaf blowers, rakes and snowblowers.
- Inspect walkways, railings and driveways for any safety concerns.
- Stock up on rock salt, sand or non-clumping litter to prevent slipping on icy walkways.
- Disconnect garden hoses and store them.
- Manually shut off the water supply to exterior faucets and drain the water lines to prevent freezing.
- Winterize your lawn sprinkler system using the manual, automatic or blowout draining method. (Consult your manufacturer or installation expert for assistance with your system.)
- Cover exterior water faucets and insulate exposed pipes using foam pipe insulation.
- Have the septic system inspected and make sure all outdoor pipes are insulated or below the frost line.
- Prepare and cover swimming pools. (Remove accessories, deep clean the pool, bleed water lines or disconnect service hoses, and adjust water chemistry.)
- Winterize hot tubs if not used during the winter. (Use a tight-fitting cover for safety, bleed the water lines, jets and other components, and unplug the unit.)
- Keep hot tubs running at optimal levels if used through the winter. (Use a tight-fitting cover for safety and water heat retention, circulate the water often, use a ceramic heater to keep parts from freezing and insulate the hot tub shell.)
- Inspect your backup generator. (Check the oil, filters, spark plugs, and battery and fuel levels.)
- Maintain solar panels according to manufacturer recommendations. (Adjust the tilt for the winter sun position, inspect the power cells, ensure proper battery storage temperatures and other manufacturer suggestions.)

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