6. Don’t block registers or air returns with furniture or drapes.

Dryer diversion. If your home is very dry inside during the winter and you have an electric dryer (never do this with a gas dryer), you can detach the vent pipe from the outside vent, cover it with a piece of cheesecloth or nylon stocking to serve as a lint filter, and redirect that wasted heat back into your house. You can buy a heat diverter attachment for about $7 at your local home center and install it yourself.

Charcoal in a bag. Fill a net vegetable bag with charcoal and hang in the musty basement or damp garage to absorb odors.

Doors and windows

A well winterized home is one that is airtight. Weather stripping is the best way to plug up all those energy leaks.

Detect air leaks. Shut the doors and windows. Move a lighted candle around the perimeters of the doors or windows. If the flame flickers you have an air leak. Plug it with caulk and weather stripping, available at any home improvement center.

Door Frames. Weather stripping is installed on the door frame except for door sweeps and some thresholds. You can weather strip your doors even if you’re not an experienced handyman. Many different types of weather stripping materials can be purchased each with its own level of effectiveness, durability and degree of installation difficulty. The installations are the same for the two sides and top of a door, with a different, more durable one for the threshold.

There are three types of weather stripping:

1. Self-stick foam requires a knife or shears and a tape measure. It is extremely easy to install, invisible when installed but not very durable.

2. Rolled vinyl with aluminum channel backing requires a hammer, nails, metal snips and a tape measure. It is easy to install, visible when installed, and quite durable.

3. Foam rubber with wood backing requires a hammer, nails, hand saw, and tape measure. It is easy to install, but visible when installed and not very durable.

Door Bases. A door sweep is a flexible material that attaches to the bottom of the door and fills in the gap between the door and the floor. Installation requires a screwdriver, hacksaw and tape measure. Sweeps are useful for hard surface thresholds but may drag on carpeting.

Window Frames. Interlocking thresholds are very difficult to install, but produce an exceptionally good weather seal. Installation should be done by a skilled carpenter. Self-stick foam is practical on all types of windows where there are no moving parts.

Storm windows and screens. To keep track of where storm windows and screens go, draw a diagram of the house and number each window frame. Use a permanent marker to write the same number on the corner of the appropriate storm window or screen. Attach the diagram to the garage or basement wall and you’ll never have to guess which window or screen goes where.