How to winterize your home

In 2025, winter storms costed American homeowners over 1 billion in damage. The average cost of winter repairs ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars with common causes being frozen pipes, roof damage, HVAC issues and a litany of other costly repairs and fixes. Keep in mind, that's on top of general winter bills such as the cost of heating which is expected to average about $1,000 in 2026.  

Comparatively, winterizing a home has a varied cost of a few hundred to a little under a thousand and you gain peace-of-mind knowing your home is safely guarded against the elements.  

Here are some of the top money-saving or value-adding ways to weatherize your home: 

Repair or replace roof 

Your roof is your first and most important line of defense from the elements. Yet during a snowstorm is has to hold a lot of extra weight per square foot, which on older roofs may be just enough to cause a leak or instability. Plus, heavy rain can dump hundreds of gallons of water on your roof. 

Ward off disaster by inspecting your roof for leaks, damage or signs that it’s time for a replacement, and by performing any necessary repairs as soon as possible. Signs of a potentially leaky roof include: 

• Cracked flashing. 
• Broken shingles. 
• Wet spots along the seams of your roof. 
• Cracked vent booting. 
• Condensation in the attic. 

Add insulation 

Tired of cold feet, bundling up in blankets and shivering when you get out of bed in the morning? (Brr!) 

 Adding insulation boosts your home’s energy efficiency, making it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature. The cost of insulation varies but it's almost a guarantee that an insulated home costs can save hundreds in heating costs per season which adds up quickly for homeowners that plan to keep their home for years. 

In fact, not only will insulation pay for itself within three years, thanks to a high return on investment — more than any other home improvement project — it also adds more than its cost to the value of your home. 

Update or replace leaky windows 

Your home loses up to 30 percent of its heat through the windows. Replacing old, leaky ones with energy-efficient versions can save you hundreds a year in energy costs — not to mention preventing extra wear and tear on your HVAC system. While window replacements can be undeniably costly, they also add more than 92 percent of their value back into your home.  

If that’s more than you want to take on, you can weatherize existing windows by adding storm windows, which can reduce heating costs by up to 30 percent. Alternatively, the low-budget fix would be to use thermal curtains or other energy-efficient window treatments. 

Clean and repair gutters 

A few leaves and twigs in your gutters may not seem like a big deal — but gutters are the unsung heroes of your home. When working properly, they carry rainwater safely away from your roof and channel it away from your foundation. Clogged gutters can cause all sorts of costly long-term damage to your home, including: 

• Basement leaks. 
• Foundation cracks. 
• Rotten wood. 
• Cracked driveways and walks. 

Most of these problems are easily preventable as long as you clean and inspect your gutters to make sure they’re working properly before winter arrives. You can also avoid future issues by installing gutter guards to further bolster your home against winter. 

Tap into your home equity 

If your home needs major repairs before winter but you’re not sure how to pay for it, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can help. A HELOC allows you to borrow against your home equity via a revolving line of credit, giving you the financial flexibility to complete repairs or make improvements as needed while reinvesting your equity to add value and security to your home. 

Thanks to a competitive housing market, many U.S. homeowners have seen their property values go up in recent years. if you’ve bought a house in the past decade, you’ve likely gained equity not only by making your mortgage payment regularly, but also through the value of your property naturally increasing with the market. 

With a HELOC, you can tap into that equity to make your home more weatherproof this winter. The smartest projects to spend your equity on are those that pay for themselves by: 

• Preventing weather-related damage to your home. 
• Adding long-term value to your property. 
• Lowering the cost of your monthly bills. 

 Get your home insured to cover all your bases 

 Home insurance is low-cost way to protect your home against the unknown.  

A typical homeowners insurance policy covers repair or replacement costs for your home and its contents in case of theft or property damage caused by fire, smoke, vandalism, a weather event such as a winter storm or an external event such as a tree falling on your roof. It will also typically cover the cost of alternate lodgings if your home needs to be rebuilt, as well as medical expenses and legal fees if someone not living in your home is injured on your property. 

That said, most policies don’t cover everything. For example, flood or earthquake damage aren’t usually covered, although you can buy optional flood or earthquake policies if you live in an area that’s prone to them. And most homeowners policies cap the amount your insurance provider will pay, so you may need additional coverage for valuables such as expensive jewelry, artwork or collectibles. 

If you’re not sure how much coverage to get, our Insurance Service team can help you calculate the cost of replacing your home and determine whether you need extended coverage. Contact OCCU today and get your home insured to reduce costs in emergencies and gain further confidence that when winter comes, you're prepared.