How to Save Money by Winterizing Your Car, Home & Health

Winter is coming and it will bring along challenging conditions for our cars, homes, and health. Luckily, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way toward averting costly problems this season. Try these winterizing tips to keep your car, home, and health running as smoothly as possible:

Car

Check your battery

Although it’s never fun to break down on the side of the road, it’s a whole lot worse when it’s below freezing. The cold exacerbates the decline of car batteries so check that your car’s battery is in good health and consider replacing it if not. 

Make sure your tires are in good condition 

If you live in an area that experiences snow or ice during the winter, installing winter tires will offer you the best performance and keep you on the road in challenging conditions. If you don’t live in an area with frequent snow, still check that your regular tires have good traction in case of a one-off storm.

Install winter windshield wipers & keep washer fluid full

Good visibility is key to avoiding accidents during a snowstorm. Unlike regular window wipers, winter wipers have rubber on them which prevents ice from collecting on the blade and rendering your wipers ineffective. You also don’t want to get caught in a storm without wiper fluid, so make sure you keep that full.

House

Get your HVAC system inspected & change out filters

No one wants to wake up without heat on a cold day, so it’s critical to make sure your HVAC system is in good working order. Especially if your system is getting older, hire a professional to inspect it and ensure it will last the winter. HVAC systems last longer when they are well taken care of so even if your system is on the newer side, change out the filter to help keep it that way.

Drain sprinkler systems & outside faucets

Draining your outside faucets and blowing out your sprinkler systems will prevent your pipes from freezing. Frozen pipes are more likely to crack or burst which can lead to flooding and water damage in your home.

Check drainage & gutters

Too much water close to your house can also create issues so make sure that there are no depressions or other low-lying areas for water to accumulate. Fill in any depressions with soil to ensure you don’t end up with puddles that could affect your foundation when the snow melts in the spring. Having clear gutters will prevent a potential overflow of water that can damage the exterior of your home and/or your foundation, so check those as well and get them cleaned if necessary.

Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors

House fires are most frequent during the winter months. You are also more likely to be exposed to carbon monoxide during the winter when using gas furnaces or heaters. Make sure that your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly so you’ll be alerted to any issues before they get out of hand. 

Perform an energy audit

Your home may not be as energy efficient as it could be, especially if you’re losing heat through holes or underinsulated areas. Some public libraries lend out thermal cameras which can help you identify the areas of your home through which you are losing the most heat. Your municipality or local energy providers may also offer a free assessment of your home’s energy efficiency. 

Health

Get your seasonal shots

Getting sick is inconvenient and after a few years of low contact due to covid, health experts are predicting a surge in flu cases so schedule your flu shot now. Covid cases are also expected to rise, making it a great time to get your covid booster if you haven’t already.

Prepare to get sick anyway

It’s best to prepare for the worst, so even if you get your shots, have a plan to avoid unnecessary expenses. For example, if you get sick, you might not feel up to cooking; having a few cans of soup on hand can prevent you from having to make a $40 DoorDash order. Even if you don’t get sick, your kids might. If possible, arrange backup childcare in advance to avoid a last-minute scramble and potentially having to take unpaid time off from work.

Final Thoughts

Regular maintenance costs money in the short term, but it can save you big bucks by preventing a more expensive disaster. If you feel unprepared for these types of expenses this year, consider setting up a sinking fund for annual maintenance so you feel prepared financially next year.