Bracing for the Hoosier Chill: Your 10-Point Indiana Winter Home Winterization Guide.

​Indiana winters are no joke. From bone-chilling cold snaps to potential ice and snow, preparing your home now is the key to a warm, safe, and bill-friendly season. Don't wait for the first hard frost! Tackle these 10 essential winterization tasks to ensure your house is a cozy sanctuary when the Hoosier chill arrives.

​1. Seal the Drafts: Caulk, Weatherstrip, and Insulate

​The single best way to save on heating is to stop warm air from escaping. Use caulk to seal gaps around window frames, utility entry points (like cable and phone lines), and air conditioner units. Apply weather stripping around exterior doors. For older or drafty windows, temporary insulation film kits can make a surprising difference. Check your attic and crawl spaces, too; adding or topping off insulation is a significant, long-term energy saver that helps prevent ice dams.

​2. Professional Heating System Check-Up

​Your furnace is about to become your home's best friend. Schedule a professional HVAC inspection and tune-up before you need it running full-time. This ensures it's operating efficiently, identifies potential carbon monoxide leaks, and catches small problems before they become costly mid-winter emergencies.

​3. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

​This is a free and easy way to feel warmer! During winter, set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise on a low speed. This pulls cool air up, gently pushing the warm air—which naturally rises—back down along the walls and into the room, redistributing heat more effectively without creating a draft.

​4. Protect Your Pipes: Disconnect and Insulate

​Frozen, burst pipes are an Indiana homeowner's worst nightmare. Crucially, disconnect all garden hoses from outdoor spigots. Then, turn off the water supply to those exterior faucets and allow them to drain completely. For exposed pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, or outside walls, wrap them with foam pipe insulation available at any hardware store.

​5. Clear and Inspect Gutters and Downspouts

​Clogged gutters are a primary cause of ice dams, which form when melted snow refreezes at the cold edge of your roof. Clean out all leaves and debris to ensure water can flow freely. Check that your downspouts are securely attached and direct water at least five feet away from your foundation to prevent basement flooding.

​6. Replace Furnace Filters

​A clean furnace filter allows your heating system to run more efficiently, saving you money and extending the life of your unit. A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder, restricting airflow. Check and replace your filter monthly during the peak heating season.

​7. Inspect the Roof and Chimney

​A strong roof protects against melting snow and ice. Visually inspect your roof for loose, cracked, or missing shingles. If you have a fireplace, schedule a professional chimney inspection and cleaning to remove creosote buildup and ensure the flue is working correctly before your first cozy fire.

​8. Trim Tree Branches

​Heavy ice and snow can weigh down tree branches, causing them to break and fall on your roof, power lines, or home. Trim any branches that are close to your house to mitigate this risk.

​9. Prep Walkways and Emergency Supplies

​Be proactive about safety. Stock up on ice melt or rock salt for your driveway and walkways. Make sure your snow shovel or snowblower is in good working order. Additionally, assemble an emergency kit with flashlights, extra batteries, a few days' supply of non-perishable food and water, and a battery-powered radio in case of power outages from winter storms.

​10. Test Safety Alarms

​With furnaces and potential alternative heating sources running, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases. Test all your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors and replace batteries as needed. These devices are your final line of defense and must be in perfect working order.

​By ticking these 10 tasks off your list, you'll be well-prepared to face anything an Indiana winter throws your way—all while staying warm and potentially lowering your energy bills!