A Toxicologist's 7-Step Guide To Winter-Proofing Your Home

If you live in cooler climes, chances are you spend a lot of time indoors during winter. Come December, the windows close, the heaters blast, and air flow grinds to a halt. And while closing off your home to the elements can lower your energy costs and keep you cozy, it can also lead to an increasingly dirty environment. (Outdoor air tends to be less polluted than indoor air1, after all, depending on your location.) So when you're thinking of winter-proofing your home, take a more balanced approach with these tips from toxicologist Rhea Mehta, Ph.D. Moral of the story? Keep the warm air inside, but make sure it's clean.

On the next cold, windy day, walk through your home and take note of any cracks where you feel cool air coming in (paying special attention to ridges where your windows and door frames meet your walls). Then, wipe down these surfaces so they are clean and run your caulking material alongside them at a 45-degree angle. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends waiting to do so until the outdoor weather is right: You'll want to make sure it's a dry, low-humidity day with a temperature above 45°F so the caulk can properly set.

In addition to keeping your home nice and dark during sunny early mornings, thick blackout curtains can also trap heat inside. Again, avoid VOCs by opting for non-vinyl curtain options.

"Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to practice energy efficiency, as you can program the thermostat to drop the household temperature while the house is empty or while people are sleeping," Mehta explains. She says this is a better option that something like an unvented combustion space heater, which can release carbon monoxide into the air if not properly installed.

Dirty, dusty furnace filters don't work as well and they can restrict the air flow of your home. Mehta recommends washable, permanent filter options instead since they're less wasteful and easier to clean year after year.

And to stave off dirty air during months where it's too cold to open windows, keep up with a thorough cleaning and dusting routine, remove shoes and boots at the door, and run the exhaust hood every time you cook. If you live in a super-polluted city or have a respiratory issue, you might want to consider investing in a HEPA air filter to be safe.

Make sure you're not inadvertently adding toxins back into your air with your household products by switching over to more natural cleaners, beauty essentials, and air fresheners.

Mehta says the most important areas to winter-proof at home are the doorways, windows, HVAC, and plumbing systems. If you suspect that these are leaking air, consider calling in a professional insulator. Oh, and when you do, ask about cellulose insulation—it's inexpensive and made from recycled paper products.