Winter is coming — and while that might sound dramatic, your house would agree. Cold weather doesn’t just bring cozy blankets and hot cocoa; it also brings frozen pipes, sky-high energy bills, and gutters that suddenly think they’re ice sculptures.
Here’s your not-so-boring guide to keeping your home warm, safe, and drama-free this winter — written for homeowners across McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Plano, and all of North Dallas.
🍁 Step 1: Early Fall (September–October) — Get Ahead of the Chill
1. Seal the Sneaky Drafts
Grab a candle and hold it near your doors and windows. If the flame flickers, congrats — you’ve found where your heat money is escaping. Add weatherstripping or caulk and show those drafts who’s boss.
💡 Bonus: You’ll thank yourself when your heating bill doesn’t make you gasp louder than a horror movie.
2. Clean Those Gutters
Leaves look great on trees, not in your gutters. Clean them out before the first freeze or risk an ice dam (which sounds like a cocktail but is actually a roof nightmare).
3. Schedule a Chimney Check-Up
If you’re planning to light that first fire of the season, get your chimney inspected. A quick sweep now keeps smoke — and chimney fires — off your holiday to-do list.
❄️ Step 2: Late Fall (October–November) — Protect the Great Outdoors
1. Unhook the Hoses, Hero
Disconnect, drain, and store your garden hoses like the responsible adult you are. Cover your outdoor faucets with those cute little insulated covers.
💧 Why? Because frozen pipes are expensive, messy, and guaranteed to ruin your weekend.
2. Protect Your Outdoor Plants
When temps drop below 40°F, tuck your plants in for the night with frost covers or bring the pots inside. Yes, even the ones you barely kept alive this summer deserve a fighting chance.
🔥 Step 3: Early Winter (November–December) — Stay Toasty Without Toasting Your Budget
1. Test Your Heater Before You Need It
Turn it on early and make sure it doesn’t smell like burning dust bunnies. Replace your filters, and if it sounds like a freight train, call your HVAC pro.
2. Find Your Perfect Thermostat Setting
Keep your home around 68°F when you’re home, and 60–62°F when you’re away. It’s the sweet spot between cozy and cost-effective.
🔥 Pro tip: Each degree lower can save up to 3% on your heating bill. That’s real money for coffee… or fuzzy socks.
3. Check Your Attic Insulation
Peek in your attic — if you can see the joists, you need more insulation. Think of it as wrapping your home in a big, fluffy parka.
🧊 Step 4: When You Leave Home (Holiday Trips & Weekends Away)
● Set your thermostat to 60°F — warm enough to keep pipes happy, low enough to save cash.
● Open cabinet doors under sinks so warm air can circulate.
● Leaving for a long trip? Turn off the main water valve and drain the pipes. Trust me, you don’t want to come home to an indoor skating rink.
🚫 Do-Not-Forget Winter Home Checklist
✅ Drain and store garden hoses
✅ Cover outdoor faucets
✅ Clean gutters before freezing temps hit
✅ Replace furnace filters
✅ Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
✅ Seal leaky windows and doors
💡 Why Bother Winterizing Your Home in North Dallas?
Because doing nothing looks like this:
● Burst pipes 💦
● Sky-high heating bills 💸
● Roof leaks from ice dams 🧊
● Frozen plants 🪴
● You questioning your life choices in mid-January ❄️
Winterizing protects your home’s structure, keeps energy costs down, and makes your house more comfortable all season long.
🏡 Final Thoughts from Your Honest Realtor
Winterizing isn’t about perfection — it’s about prevention. A weekend of prep now can save you a season of stress (and thousands in repairs).
If you need recommendations for trusted local HVAC technicians, chimney sweeps, or insulation pros in North Dallas, I’ve got your back.
Stay warm, stay safe, and remember: even your house deserves a little TLC before winter hits.
– Sharon Rehders, Your Honest Realtor
Helping North Dallas homeowners protect their homes and their budgets, one season at a time.
