9 Ways to Winterize Your Home and Garden this Winter

Even if it's not already making itself known where you live, winter is inevitably coming. And with winter comes cold weather — freezing temperatures that can damage your pipes and harm your plants. And it doesn't matter if you're a homeowner or renter; winterizing your home is necessary. When winterizing your place, how well your home and garden weather the winter months can determine how much fun and resources you have at your disposal when temperatures turn warmer and the weather outside isn't so frightful.

As it does every year, winter officially begins December 21st, and in some parts of the United States and Canada, it certainly already feels like it. But, for Neutin members, winterizing your home is easy and affordable because our Gifted Rewards program gives you access to over 500,000 savings opportunities in over 10,000 cities. We make winterizing your home easy, too. As a Neutin member, you can print your Rewards at home or show your coupons on your phone at your local home improvement store and get ready to save.

Did somebody say save? We thought so. When you're a Neutin member, you can also save on everyday household needs like home energy and solar power to keep your home warm and cozy all winter.

No one else provides the variety of savings, coupons, discounts, and rebates as Neutin does on Home & Garden, Local, and Online Shopping deals for its members. Find fantastic 2-for-1 and 50% off coupons on anything you need for winter preparation.

Here are nine ways to save and winterize your home and garden with Neutin this winter.

Inspect and clean your fireplace 

Fireplaces are aesthetically pleasing and can offer comfort and warmth to any home. However, they can be dangerous if they're not maintained well, which is why it is critical when winterizing your home to have your fireplace checked, inspected, and cleaned before using it during the cold season of the year.

Cover your patio furniture

Not all outdoor furniture is weather-resistant. Remove any cushions and cover the rest to ensure your patio furniture can endure the test of time (or at least your money's worth) during the winter months. Remember also to cover your grills and any other outdoor appliances.

Got mulch?

Bring your outdoor plants and flowers inside. Do this before the weather outside gets down to around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Protect your landscaped plants with mulch - and lots of it. While doing this is time-consuming, it will save you both time and money in the long run and help keep your plants alive and healthy for the spring.

Weather-proof your weather stripping

There's nothing worse than a cold draft inviting itself inside your warm and cozy indoor space. Weather stripping and caulking your doors and windows is the trick to prevent the cold air from infiltrating your home during winter. Weatherstripping your home is relatively inexpensive to keep your monthly heating expenses low. Consider hiring a contractor or, if you don't mind a project, get a door draft stopper and self-adhesive foam tape to keep the heat in and the cold out.

Turn off outside water and disconnect your garden hose

Because water expands when it freezes, it's best to disconnect your garden hose and turn off any outside water during the winter. First, let out any water left in the hose, and tighten the faucet when turning the water off. Next, detach the spray nozzle from your hose, remove any kinks, wind your hose in a circle, and store it in an outdoor bin or inside, preferably a garage or basement.

Furnish your furnace

The best way to make your furnace more efficient is to replace the filter. A dirty filter can make your furnace work harder to heat your home, costing you money. And no one has time for an inefficient furnace during a cold winter night. So replace your filters every three months or inspect them when winterizing your home.

Stock up on winter supplies

In some areas of the U.S. and Canada, winter brings snow and lots of it. Therefore, it's a good idea to stockpile certain essentials for snowstorms and cold temperatures. In case of a snowstorm, make sure you have a snow shovel, ice melt, an emergency home kit, a car kit, and a roof rake. Extra wood for your fireplace is a good idea if you have one. And if you lose power, consider keeping a flashlight or two on hand, with plenty of batteries, candles, and matches.

Get a smart thermostat

Consider investing in a smart thermostat to maintain your home's energy efficiency. Customizing your home's temperature when you're there or away is a smart way to save and keep your space warm and comfortable.

Insulate your pipes

Insulating your pipes will prevent them from freezing during winter. You can protect your pipes from freezing and expanding by wrapping them in foam, rubber, or tubular insulation. Think of it as a blanket for your pipes. Heat wires or tape with a thermostat control work well, too.

Not a Neutin nember yet? Even if where you live is warm year 'round, we invite you to become a member today and get ready to save on even more than just what you need to prepare your home from Jack Frost.