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With many parts of the country expected to have extreme cold temperatures and bad winter weather this year, it's important to do your part to prepare your home, property, and vehicles. The time is now, according to the experts.
What's the forecast this winter?
"The Old Farmer’s Almanac is predicting that the winter of 2025–2026 will be mostly mild with pockets of wild," shared Sarah Perreault, managing editor, The Old Farmer’s Almanac. "The country will certainly have snow—it is winter after all—but it may be a disappointment for those who remember the winters of old."
- Temperature: "Temperatures will be near normal to slightly above average for most of the U.S. with some exceptions across the Appalachians, Southeast, Ohio Valley, and Florida. Those areas of the country are forecast to have colder than normal winter temperatures."
- Rain: "Florida, the southern High Plains, the Intermountain region, and the eastern Desert Southwest can all expect a wet winter season."
- Snow: "Sections of the Carolinas, southern Appalachians, eastern Ohio Valley, and southern Rockies can expect higher than normal snowfall."
"The remainder of the country will remain relatively dry," she added.
Preparing for the forecast is important. Every year, we highlight best practices to help homeowners prepare for the season... and reduce unexpected issues and expenses.
"As someone who has properties in both New Jersey and upstate New York, I know firsthand how an intense winter can be a huge stressor (and a financial shock) for homeowners if their spaces are unprepared for the change in temperature," shares Anthony Carrino, home improvement expert and partner at Trane Residential.
1. Schedule an HVAC Inspection
"Annual preventative maintenance will help it keep your system functioning efficiently, which can also be a factor in your energy bills," noted Braden Cook, Sr. Director, Product Management, Training and Service at Carrier. "The more efficiently your unit is operating, the lower the energy cost will be."
He adds, "[Annual inspections] may also be a requirement to keep your warranty valid as well. Many manufacturers state on warranty documentation that installation and maintenance by a licensed HVAC professional are a part of the warranty conditions."
Carrino underscores that timing is everything. "The colder it gets, the busier the most qualified HVAC technicians become with appointments. So don’t wait until it’s too late. Prioritize making a seasonal maintenance check with your local dealer. When they come out to your property, they can share ways to save money, including eco rebates, special financing options, tax credits, and more depending on where you live, the type, size, and age of your system."
Should I upgrade by HVAC before winter?
"If you need a repair or a replacement ahead of this winter season, I tell homeowners to follow the 5K rule," advises Carrino. "It's an industry-accepted rule for determining whether to repair or replace an HVAC system."
The math: "Multiply the age of your equipment by its estimated repair cost. If the outcome is less than $5,000, you should repair it. If it is more than $5,000, you should replace it. If your current system is 10 years old or older, you may be able to save more than $500 a year in energy costs if you upgrade to a more energy-efficient system."
2. Check Your Home’s Insulation and Seals
"If your attic or crawlspace isn’t properly insulated, your heating system must work harder to keep it at a consistently comfortable temperature," shares Carrino. "The more your system runs, the more it costs you."
- Adding weather stripping and extra insulation to your garage door can make a big difference.
- If you have them, install storm windows and glass storm doors. They serve as an extra line of defense against wind and cold.
- Check for air that leaks through cracks under doors and around your windows.
3. Change Your Air Filters
A clean air filter not only helps reduce airborne particles, viruses, and seasonal allergens, but it also helps the HVAC system function more efficiently. A clean filter also reduces noise levels and energy consumption, ultimately reducing utility bills.
"Standard replacement is every three months, but consider replacing your indoor air filter even more frequently if you have pets, are remodeling, live with a smoker or have a fan that runs continuously," shares Andy Fox, Indoor Air Quality Specialist at 3M.
4. Ready Your Vehicles
- Give it a check-up. Make your vehicle is winter-ready by checking the antifreeze levels, exhaust pipe, tire (and spare tire) tread, and pressure. Replace the windshield wipers if necessary.
- Swap on your snow tires for added traction. The last thing you want is an automobile accident, and these tires take snow safety to the next level.
- Make an emergency supply kit. Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, including a blanket, flashlight, extra batteries, non-perishable snacks, water, and a first aid kit.
- Move a tool kit to the trunk. Put the snow shovel, windshield scraper, snow brush, booster cables/jumper cables, a battery-powered flashlight, a tire repair kit, and some sand or cat litter in your vehicle. (You'll need the sand or kitty litter for traction if you get stuck.)
- Have it waxed. "Snow, slush, and salt take a heavy toll on your vehicle," shares Edgar Corona, senior marketing manager at PLZ Corp, makers of Sprayway auto products. "Waxing your car provides a protective layer to help combat scrapes and knicks in your paint from road salt or ice."
- Add rubber floor mats and protect the interior. "Inside your car, change out your carpet floor mats for rubber ones to prevent wear and staining. I also recommend detailing the interior with a product like Sprayway Auto Interior Detailer High Gloss to keep leather seats, dashboard and other surfaces resistant to the effects of any wintery mess that gets inside," adds Corona.
- Add a set of outerwear and dry, warm clothing to your vehicle. Wet clothing can kill during the winter. Avoid hypothermia and frostbite. You'll never know when you need a layer of warm clothes or a layer of rain gear to raise your body temperature or prevent a loss of feeling in your hands and toes.
- Keep an extra gas tank in the garage. You never know when you need a full tank of gas to fuel a gas-powered generator during an ice storm, or wish you had a better fuel supply for your snowblower.
5. Insulate Your Hot Water Tank
Check water valves, wrap pipes with insulation, drain sentiment build-up, and winterize any systems that are in vacant properties to prevent frozen pipes.
6. Consider Buying a Generator or a Second Heating Source
"Since winter storms often cause power outages, it is a clever idea to have a battery (or generator) powered thermostat to maintain optimal climate control," recommends Carrino.
He adds, "[You may also want to have] an alternative heating source, such as a portable space heater or a fireplace. These can provide warmth and comfort until your HVAC system is repaired or power is restored."
7. Upgrade Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Be vigilant about the dangers of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Dangerous levels of this toxic gas can lead to death.
The best thing to do is install combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarms throughout your home, especially near living areas and bedrooms.
Already have them installed? Change the batteries!
8. Set Up a Zoning System
When it's cold, it can be hard to control and maintain the temperature within your home. "A zoning system allows you to set unique temperatures throughout different parts of your home," noted Carrino.
"You can make sure that the most utilized rooms in the house and comfortable. I use this type of system in my Catskills home, and it has been great."
Many Nest thermostat users were alerted this year that the OG models would no longer be supported. We upgraded to the Nest Learning Thermostat (Gen 4) that comes with one Nest Temperature Sensor. It allows you to customize the climate for each sensor, effectively making your home more comfortable while saving you energy.
9. Be Prepared for Ice and Snow
- Purchase ice melt or rock salt for use when you need it most, but be very cautious about what you use around pets. "It’s important to note that de-icing salts are not only toxic when ingested but are paw irritants as well," shares Dr. Hunter Finn, partner of MetLife Pet Insurance, veterinarian, and owner of the Pet Method in McKinney, TX. "Similarly, anti-freeze containing ethylene glycol is extremely poisonous. Symptoms of ingestion include panting, vomiting, and convulsions. Look for anti-freeze with propylene glycol as a safer choice."
- Get a contract for a snowplow service, or identify a local company you can call when you need help. There's no point in pushing yourself to shovel deep snow in the extreme cold—that's how people have sudden heart attacks and experience heart failure.
- Buy a roof rake. Remove heavy snow from the edges of your roof. This helps prevent ice dams and shingle damage.
- Tune up your snowblower. Put the tire chains on if you use them.
FAQ
What weather alerts should I watch for this winter?
The National Weather Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issue several alerts, each with a different level of urgency:
- Winter Storm WATCH: Conditions are possible anytime... start preparing now.
- Winter Storm WARNING: Severe winter weather is happening or about to happen.
- Blizzard Warning: Strong winds and heavy snow will greatly reduce visibility.
- Ice Storm Warning: Heavy freezing rain could cause dangerous ice buildup.
Keep a NOAA Weather Radio or battery-powered or hand-crank radio nearby in case you lose power.
Also, sign up for emergency alerts. Check with local agencies or the Emergency Alert System for warnings relevant to your region.
How can I stay safe and warm at home during a winter storm?
- Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, and pet supplies.
- Check smoke detectors, smoke alarm batteries, and fire extinguishers.
- If using kerosene heaters, a wood stove, or a generator, follow all generator safety steps—keep them outside to prevent carbon monoxide incidents.
- Have an emergency heat source ready, like a backup heating source or heated room where everyone can gather.
- Protect faucets and pipes from freezing by opening cabinet doors and insulating them.
- Clear storm drains near your property to prevent ice buildup and flooding.
What should I keep in my car for winter weather travel?
- Watch for black ice, snow squalls, and lake effect snow that can cause vehicle crashes.
- Build a winter storm survival kit with blankets, non-perishable food, and water, as well as tow ropes, jumper cables, and a small shovel. Don't forget a flashlight and mobile phone charger.
- Keep your fuel tank at least half full; heating fuel can run out fast if you’re stuck.
- Save numbers for a towing company and local rescue crews in your contacts.
- Follow Winter Weather Safety Tips from your state agencies before you travel.
