Heating and cooling account for more than half of your home’s energy use, so it’s no surprise that Michigan winters can put serious pressure on your wallet. But here’s the good news. With just five smart upgrades this fall, you can protect your home, improve its energy efficiency, and reduce your energy bills. Even better? Most of these fixes can be done in a weekend so you can start taking advantage of their benefits right away.
Why Fall Preparation Matters
If you wait for our first real freezing temperatures, you’ll face higher contractor costs (if you can even book one), emergency repairs, and weeks of uncomfortable, drafty rooms. Meanwhile, your heating system is working overtime, and your energy bills are going through the roof. Acting now means you can enjoy a warm, efficient, and low-maintenance home all winter season long.
1. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
Modern smart thermostats like Nest or Ecobee learn your routine and adjust automatically. They use home/away detection, sleep schedules, and weather conditions to keep your home comfortable. You can even control them from your phone through smartphone apps.
These devices eliminate wasted heat in empty homes and help you create a custom heating schedule. You can also integrate them with your other smart home devices. Many models can even alert you when your heating system needs service or your filter needs to be changed.
A study by NEST found that users save about $131-145 a year on energy costs. You can also save by manually setting your smart or programmable thermostat back about 7–10°F for 8 hours a day. This can help cut your heating costs by as much as 10%. Smart thermostats can often be self-installed in about 30 minutes, although you may need professional installation for complex systems. Their upfront cost can be high, but many utility companies often offer rebates.
2. Seal Air Leaks (Especially in the Attic)
It’s a fact that warm air rises. And in winter, it escapes through small air leaks in your attic, pulling cold air in from below in a process called the stack effect. This cycle makes your heating system work harder. It creates uncomfortable drafts and cold spots throughout your home and increases your energy bills. The best way to stop this cycle is with air sealing.
Your attic is the top priority for sealing. Focus on leak points like:
- Plumbing and chimney penetrations
- Recessed lights and attic hatches
- Ductwork, ceiling fans, and bathroom exhausts
- Tops plates and electrical wire penetrations
Then move to the rest of your home:
- Use caulk for small cracks and spray foam for larger gaps.
- Install weatherstripping on windows and doors.
- Add foam gaskets behind outlet covers on exterior walls.
- Seal rim joists and foundation cracks in basements.
Use fire-rated materials around chimneys or furnaces and consider storm windows for single-pane glass.
According to ENERGY STAR, air leakage accounts for 25–40% of your home’s heating and cooling energy use. Sealing air leaks and combining it with insulation can cut your heating and cooling costs by up to 15%. You’ll enjoy fewer drafts, more even temps, and less strain on your furnace.
3. Add Insulation to Your Attic
Insulation works in tandem with air sealing. Air sealing fills in the gaps and cracks to seal leaks, while insulation acts as a thermal barrier to help slow heat transfer. Without it, valuable energy is lost through your home’s roof and other openings. Installing attic insulation is one of the most cost-effective energy improvements you can make for your home.
When insulating your attic, it’s important to meet or exceed state insulation standards. In Michigan, attics should be insulated to a minimum R-value of R-49 (based on climate zone). It’s highly recommended to exceed that amount up to R-60 of attic insulation for maximum energy efficiency. Many older homes in Michigan have far below that standard with only R-19 to R-30 of insulation installed.
Popular types of attic insulation include:
Fiberglass
Most affordable option - Available in batts (pre-cut) or loose fill (blown-in) form
- Easy to install
- Non-combustible for fire safety
- Can lose its effectiveness if compressed or poorly fitted
- Can irritate skin during installation
- Requires proper vapor barriers
Cellulose
Made from recycled paper with added fire protection - Offers dense coverage to fill all gaps
- Better at sound reduction and air resistance.
- Requires professional blowing equipment
- Can settle over time
- Must stay dry to maintain its R-value
Spray Foam
Seals and insulates in one step - Offers the highest R-value per inch
- Helps strengthen your structure (closed-cell spray foam)
- Provides a vapor barrier (closed-cell spray foam)
- Ideal for sealing irregular spaces
- Is the biggest financial investment
- Requires professional installation
- Difficult to remove once installed
It’s important to remember to seal your home’s air leaks before adding insulation. And always keep attic vents clear to prevent moisture issues and ensure proper ventilation during the winter season. To ensure accurate installation it’s important to entrust the job to an insulation professional.
4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans for Winter
Ceiling fans aren’t just for cooling. In the winter season, switch the direction of your fans to clockwise on low speed. This creates a gentle updraft that pushes the warm air from the ceiling down along the walls and back into your living space.
This is a simple, no-cost fix that helps you feel warmer at lower thermostat settings. It can also help you save money on your heating costs by making your heating system more efficient.
To maximize the benefits, clean your fan blades and make sure everything is tightened up. If your fan wobbles or makes noise, it might be time for an upgrade.
5. Check and Service Your Heating System
Before cold weather hits, make sure your heating system is ready. A fall tune-up by a pro can help avoid mid-winter breakdowns, lower your energy bills, and keep your home safe and comfortable.
What the Pros Check
During a service visit, your technician may:
Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks - Test for carbon monoxide leaks
- Verify gas and electrical connections
- Clean burners and lubricate the blower motor
- Calibrate the thermostat and test system efficiency
Regular maintenance also helps extend the life of your system and may be required to keep warranties valid.
What You Can Do
Change your HVAC filter every 1–3 months (monthly if you have pets or allergies). Look for filters with a MERV rating of 8–11 for most homes (allergy sufferers may want a higher rating). Having a clean filter can boost your system’s efficiency by 5–15%.
Other Quick DIY Checks
- Keep the area around your furnace clear.
- Ensure vents are open and return grills are clean.
- Test the thermostat and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Listen for unusual noises during operation.
These quick checks help you protect your home and ensure more consistent heat during the long winter season.
Wrap-Up: Save Money and Stay Warm
Tackle these five steps now to start saving on your energy bills this winter season. You’ll also enjoy more even temperatures, better air quality, fewer emergency repairs, and a longer-lasting heating system.
Not sure where to start? Let us help. At Whitson Insulation Company, we help homeowners across western Michigan prepare their homes for winter weather with expert insulation and energy efficiency upgrades. From spray foam to fiberglass to cellulose, we work with you to recommend what works best for your home and budget.
Don’t wait for winter weather to wreak havoc on your Michigan home. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate and get your home ready for the cold.
References
“2015 Michigan Energy Code.” ICC Digital Codes, https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/MIEC2015P1/chapter-1-re-energy-efficiency#MIEC2015P1_Pt02_Ch01_SecR402.1.1
“Can a NEST Smart Thermostat Save You Money?” Kiplinger.com, https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/how-to-save-money/can-a-nest-smart-thermostat-save-you-money#
“Ceiling Fan Direction in Summer and Winter.” The Home Depot, www.homedepot.com/c/ah/ceiling-fan-direction-in-summer-and-winter/9ba683603be9fa5395fab9036ab25bf.
“Changing and Maintaining Your Home HVAC Filter.” Just Energy, https://justenergy.com/blog/changing-maintaining-home-hvac-filter/
“Keeping The Heat In – Section 2: How Your House Works.” Government of Canada, https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/home-energy-efficiency/keeping-heat-section-2-your-house-works.
“Maintenance Checklist.” ENERGY STAR, United States Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling/maintenance-checklist#:~:text=Maintain%20your%20equipment,spring%20and%20fall.
“Methodology for Estimated Energy Savings from Cost-Effective Air Sealing and Insulating.” ENERGY STAR, United States Environmental Protection Agency, www.energystar.gov/ia/home_improvement/home_sealing/AirSealingFS_2005.pdf.
“Six Simple Steps to Save Energy and Money This Winter.” Energy.gov, United States Department of Energy, www.energy.gov/indianenergy/articles/six-simple-steps-save-energy-and-money-winter.
“Smart Thermostats.” ENERGY STAR, United States Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.energystar.gov/products/smart_thermostats
“Types of Insulation.” U.S. Department of Energy, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/types-insulation
“Use of Energy Explained.” U.S. Energy Information Administration, https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/use-of-energy/homes.php#:~:text=More%20than%20half%20of%20energy%20use%20in%20homes%20is%20for%20heating%20and%20air%20conditioning
“Why Seal and Insulate?” ENERGY STAR, United States Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/why-seal-and-insulate