Winterizing your windows is essential to keep your home warm during the cold winter months. In addition, by properly winterizing your windows, you will be able to cut down on your heating bills.

You may love it or loathe it, but winter is not something you can wish away. If you don’t want your utility bills to go through the roof during the winter season, you have to winterize your windows thoroughly.

Your windows keep your home ventilated and healthy. They let in light and cool breezes. But during winter, the same windows can jeopardize your heating plans.

If there are leaks in your windows, your heating system will have to work overtime to keep the space warm. Unfortunately, this will increase your heating bills. Here are a few tips to winterize your windows.

The first step is to find out whether there are any leaks in the window frames. Close your doors and windows and walk around your home with a lighted candle. Hold the candle near the window frames. If it goes out, there is a leak. You can’t ignore it. Small cracks in the window frames can be filled with caulk. If the cracks are bigger, you can use wood filler.

Remove your summer screens and replace them with their glass panes. You should also consider installing storm windows outside. If you have square windows, this will be easier.

Use bubble wrap

You wouldn’t perhaps believe this, but bubble wrap can be used to insulate your windows. It is a simple procedure. You have to mist the window panes with water. You can use a spray bottle for this purpose and then press a large piece of bubble wrap against the window. The bubble side should be down. The water will keep the bubble wrap in its place for several months. The beauty of this method is that you can remove the bubble wrap whenever you want. Also it won’t stain the window. Better still, using this technique you can insulate one window in less than one minute.

Don’t forget the drafty frames. If your home is older, your window frames are unlikely to be in good shape. Replacing your windows is the best solution, but this can be expensive. If money is tight, you should look for more cost effective solutions. Fill all the leaks with caulk or wood filler.

Buy heavy curtains

They can insulate against a drafty frame. Also there are curtains that are designed to absorb heat and keep the room warmer. However, they can be expensive. A cheaper solution is to buy dark coloured curtains. As we all know, dark colours absorb more heat.

Buy window insulator kits

Some people swear by window insulator kits. These are basically plastic coverings. You should be able to find one at a good home improvement store. The biggest problem with window insulator kits is that they can look very unattractive. Also they block sunlight.

Your basement windows, too, should be insulated. Install window wells to protect them. Window wells are not very expensive. Some hard plastic varieties cost less than $20.

Install rollshutters

Rollshutters are another alternative. When closed at night, rollshutters have been proven to reduce heat loss by up to 20%.