Winterizing protects your home from the cold's two big threats: frozen pipes and heat loss. A short checklist in the fall prevents expensive emergencies in January.
Heating
Service the furnace and replace the filter before peak season, test the thermostat, and bleed or check any radiators or in-floor heat. Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down.
Plumbing
Shut off and drain exterior taps, disconnect hoses, and insulate pipes in unheated areas. Know where your main shutoff is in case a pipe does freeze and burst.
Seal and insulate
Weatherstrip drafty doors and windows, caulk exterior gaps, and top up attic insulation if it's thin. These keep heat in and bills down all winter.
Exterior
Clean gutters after the leaves drop so meltwater drains, check the roof for loose shingles, trim branches that could break under snow, and confirm grading carries water away from the foundation.