4 Ways To Save on Winter Home Maintenance Costs in 2024
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As winter approaches, now is the time to tackle home maintenance tasks. Regular maintenance can help you save money on everything from heating costs to avoiding expensive repairs. It’s a worthwhile investment, even if you’re on a tight budget.
Your home’s winter maintenance doesn’t have to cost a fortune, though. GOBankingRates spoke with home maintenance and utility professionals to learn how you can save money on your maintenance costs.
How Home Maintenance Pays Off
According to David Steckel, head of product and innovation at Sears Home Services, while winter maintenance might seem like an extra cost, it can help protect your home and your wallet from bigger expenses down the line. For example, trimming back low-hanging tree branches could prevent them from falling onto your home once they’re weighed down by heavy snow, avoiding an expensive roof repair.
Danny Pen, president at New Era Plumbing & HVAC, highlighted how heating system maintenance can help prevent breakdowns during winter, so you can avoid expensive emergency service charges. Additionally, neglecting heating maintenance can lead to system inefficiencies that increase your energy bills.
“Regular check-ups ensure that each component works at its peak efficiency, meaning the system uses less fuel and operates smoothly, cutting down on monthly energy costs,” he explained.
Maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your heating system, and a well-maintained system will heat more evenly, reducing cold spots and keeping rooms warm without taxing the system.
You can save on standard winter home maintenance tasks in numerous ways.
Snow Removal
Snow removal can be a major expense, especially if you live in an area that sees a heavy snow load. If you’re planning to hire a plowing service, Steckel recommended that you look for seasonal rates instead of per-visit pricing.
“Plow companies often provide better pricing when you book them upfront for the entire season,” he explained.
Handling Your Own Snow Removal
If you want to do your own snow removal, a snowblower may be essential, depending on how much snow you receive. According to Steckel, you may find the best deals when you buy a used machine or look for end-of-season sales.
“Snowblowers are durable, and buying one secondhand can save hundreds,” he explained. “Choose a model that matches your property size to avoid overspending on power you don’t need.”
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You can also save by sanding and salting your property yourself, rather than relying on a plowing service. Steckel recommended buying sand or salt in bulk or even joining forces with your neighbors to split a larger purchase. Some towns offer free sand and salt to residents, so be sure to check with your town.
Tree Trimming
Since trees can be such a hazard to your home during winter storms, it’s essential to keep up with tree trimming. Steckel advised that you try to get your trees trimmed during the off-season, since many tree service companies offer lower rates for their services in the fall or late winter when demand is low. You can also use an extendable pole saw to trim smaller branches on your own.
It’s also possible that your town or city might offer financial help with certain trees, depending on where they are on your property.
“Check with your city for potential subsidies or low-cost removal services if trees are close to power lines or pose other community hazards,” Steckel said.
Heating and Chimney Cleaning
Pen recommended that you try to bundle services when you schedule your furnace and chimney maintenance. Companies often offer package deals or discounts for multiple services, so scheduling the furnace and chimney maintenance together could save you money.
“Book these services off-season, such as late spring or summer, when demand is lower, to potentially benefit from seasonal pricing,” he said.
You might even be able to set up a maintenance-sharing arrangement with your neighbors. According to Pen, many service providers will offer group discounts if multiple homes in the same neighborhood schedule their services together.
Pen also recommended that you install a chimney cap. “This small upfront investment reduces the amount of debris entering the chimney, leading to fewer cleanings over time and preventing costly repairs due to weather-related damage.”
Maintenance You Can DIY
While the bulk of your furnace or HVAC maintenance is best left to a professional, there are some smaller tasks that you can do yourself. Regularly changing your furnace filters every one to three months can keep the system from working harder than necessary. Keeping the filters clean can also prolong the lifespan of your heating service.
Mike Naughton, CEO and founder of Integrity Energy, a Cleveland-based energy brokerage, pointed out the importance of taking the time to clear and clean your home’s vents and registers. Make sure that the vents are free of any obstructions, like rugs or heavy furniture. Cleaning the vents can contribute to better heat circulation, which can reduce the strain on your furnace.
Optimizing your thermostat settings for winter can also reduce strain on your furnace and lower heating costs.
“Try to keep your thermostat set around 68 to 70 degrees while you’re at home in the winter months,” Pen said. When you’re out of the home, drop the temperature setting down by 7 to 10 degrees to avoid wasting money heating an unoccupied home.
Pen also recommended that you spend some time sealing any gasp, cracks or other blemishes around your windows and doors.
“You can use weatherstripping, caulk or spray foam insulation to complete this easy weekend DIY,” he explained.
Closing up these drafts can help keep your home cozy and reduce the heat that escapes.
Water Heating Costs
Insulating your pipes can help prevent burst pipes and expensive plumbing emergencies. It can also save water heating costs.
Pen explained that water heater insulation jackets only cost about $20, and you can also find a variety of hot water pipe insulation in a similar budget. These products are easy to install, and they can pay off continuously in protecting your pipes and reducing costs.
