Preparing for the holiday season means winterizing your home. Whether you own or rent, preparing your home for winter serves several purposes. Save money and stay warm. Because some tips help preserve energy, winterizing serves a bigger purpose of helping the environment. Keep pests out even when cold weather outside can make your house an inviting new home for icky creatures. As the weather cools, use the following tips to winterize your home.

Check Your Water Heater

Reduce the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. According to The Daily Green article Turn Down Your Water Heater, keep your water heater at a low temperature to reduce the cost of your water heating bill by 6% to 10%. Switch to an Energy Star certified high efficiency electric storage water heater to save money, while also conserving energy. If you have small kids, you should always keep your water heater at a low temperature to prevent burns from hot water. Directions on how to adjust the temperature of your water heater varies depending on the type of water heater you have.

Reverse Your Fan

Change the direction that your fans go. When you switch the fans’ direction, warm air will push down and recirculate in the room. As the warm air comes down from the ceiling, you will become more comfortable with the temperature of your home. Cutting your heating costs only takes flicking a button on the fan. Change the direction with a switch that comes on most units. When the winter operation is on, the blades will go counterclockwise.

Update Your Thermostat

Buying a new thermostat is an inexpensive way to give your home an updated, modern touch, while also helping you save on your energy bill. Choose a product that is programmable to save money. Programable thermostats can automatically reduce the use of heating or cooling when it’s not needed. Another tip to follow is to keep your thermostat set to a lower temperature in cold weather. When the air outside gets colder, heating your home always becomes more expensive. For every degree colder you can tolerate in your home, you can save more money on your energy bill.

Seal Your Home

Drafty windows and doors leak warm air and create a drain in your energy bill. Seal any spaces that let air into your home. Double check that your garage is sealed tight. Anywhere that lets air in also invites pests into your home. Cool air can be an invitation to mice and spiders to venture inside away from the cold. If you do end up getting pests, work with a pest control company to safely eradicate your home.