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Home Upgrades to Further Protect Against Severe Winter Weather
We can’t stop the harsh winter weather, but we can prepare and strengthen our homes to defend against it.
Strengthen Your Home
As your budget allows, consider home upgrades.
Winter Ready Home Preparedness Guide
These steps can help you to prepare your home before the winter season.
1. Upgrade your windows and doors
- If windows or exterior doors show signs of age, have gaps and cracks, or other areas of concern, replace them with:
- Windows with double or triple pane glass
- Exterior doors that include a high thermal resistance (R-value)
![renovation work in an old house and replacing windows renovation work in an old house and replacing windows, building energy efficiency](https://ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/1-Upgrade-windows-and-doors-500x350.jpg)
2) Invest in a generator
- Determine if a portable or permanent generator is the right solution.
![Residential generator Residential standby generator installed on a concrete pad](https://ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2-Invest-in-generator-500x350.jpg)
3) Improve your roof
- Install snow guards or snow cleats.
- Install roof heat cables along the eaves of the roof to prevent ice dams. Make sure the heating cables are UL Listed, FM Approved, or Canadian Standard Association (CSA) Certified.
- When replacing your roof:
- Talk to your contractor about adding an ice and vapor moisture barrier.
- Upgrade to a FORTIFIED Roof, based on decades of IBHS research, which offers additional protection from wind and water damage.
![Crew Installing New Shingles on Roof on a Rainy Day Everett WA. USA - 03-23-2021: Crew Installing New Shingles on Roof on a Rainy Day](https://ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/3-Replace-roof-500x350.jpg)
4) Install a water pressure relief valve
- Install an emergency pressure relief valve in your plumbing system.
- Learn how to shut the water off to your home and know where your pipes are located.
![4- Water pressure relief valve 4- Water pressure relief valve](https://ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/4-Water-pressure-relief-valve-500x350.jpg)
5) Replace insulation
- Install attic insulation that has an R-value. The R-value depends on insulation type, thickness, and density. The higher the R-value, the greater the effectiveness of the insulation.
![Man installing thermal roof insulation layer - using mineral wool panels. Attic renovation and insulation concept Man installing thermal roof insulation layer - using mineral wool panels. Attic renovation and insulation concept](https://ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/5-Replace-insulation-500x350.jpg)
6) Upgrade your appliances
- Consider replacing your HVAC system if it:
- Is 10+ years old and you have high/rising energy bills
- Has weak air flow
- Has frequent or short cycling
- Is not blowing hot air
- Makes loud noises, is leaking, or is requiring frequent repairs
- Install a programmable thermostat.
- Keep it no lower than 55°F during winter.
![Thermostat, Home Energy Saving Hand turning a home thermostat knob to set temperature on energy saving mode. fahrenheit units. Composite image between a photography and a 3D background.](https://ibhs1.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/6-Upgrade-appliances-500x350.jpg)