2024 Chicago Winterization Guide: Fall Checklist for Homeowners & Renters

2024 Chicago Winterization Guide: Preparing Your Home for Cold Weather

Winter in Chicago is both beautiful and brutal, bringing freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and ice that left unattended, can lead to some major problems when managing or owning property. First-time homeowners may be asking "How to winterize properties in Chicago?" Or "How do I winterize my Chicago home?" Whether you're a homeowner, a renter, or someone looking to sell your property, we have put together some expert recommendations from Fannie Mae and Pearson Realty Group to help you take the proper steps to winterize your home is essential for your comfort, safety, and even saving money. In this comprehensive 2024 update for our Chicago Winterization Guide, we'll cover the key areas you should address before the snow starts to fall.

Why Winterization Matters in Chicago

The Midwest, especially Chicago, is known for its extreme winter conditions—blizzards, ice storms, sub-zero temperatures, and wind chills that can make your home feel like an icebox if it's not properly prepared. Just a few years ago during the 2019 Polar Vortex homeowners and renters alike experienced what happens when you don't prepare for the worst. Taking proactive steps now ensures your home is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way, and it could save you thousands in potential repairs. Winterizing your home can help you:

• Improve energy efficiency and lower heating costs.

• Prevent costly repairs from frozen pipes or roof damage.

• Protect your home’s value, especially if it’s on the market.

• Enhance safety and comfort for your family.

Winterizing Your Home: A Checklist for Homeowners

1. Inspect & Seal Windows and Doors

Drafty windows and doors can cause heat loss, making your home less energy-efficient and increasing your heating bill. Properly sealed windows and doors can massively cut down on heat loss. Use caulking or weatherstripping products to seal any gaps that air can escape - you can always check for drafts by holding a candle or lighter near windows and door frames—if the flame flickers, there is an air leak. Homeowners should also consider upgrading to storm windows that offer an extra layer of winter protection with added insulation. When our partners at Pearson Realty Group work with Chicago REO properties during the winter months, this is often one of the first and easiest steps taken in winterizing a home.

2. Service Your Furnace and HVAC System

Your heating system is your first defense against the cold, so ensuring it’s in good working order is necessary. Many experts recommend keeping your thermostat set at a consistent temperature (around 68°F) to save on heating costs. It's also recommended you schedule a professional furnace tune-up to check for any issues and change the filters. Be sure to check your thermostat settings, and consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat to optimize energy efficiency. We recommend checking your HVAC systems and major appliances to ensure any pumps, hoses, cords, or any other connections are clear of obstructions and no water damage is present. This is also a good time to check to see if your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order.

3. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams, which cause water to back up under your roof and potentially lead to leaks and structural damage. Remove leaves, sticks, and debris from your gutters and ensure your downspouts direct water away from the foundation to avoid water buildup and ice hazards that can lead to possible roof looks. This is also a great time to inspect the exterior of your home for pests, rodents, and any potential entryways they could use. When the winter finally kicks in, it's important to monitor for any icicles forming, as this can be a sign of heat escaping.

4. Insulate Pipes to Prevent Freezing

Frozen pipes can burst, leading to costly water damage. One way to protect your pipes is to insulate exposed pipes, especially those in unheated areas like the garage, basement, or attic. You might want to consider installing heat tape for pipes in particularly cold areas of the home. For other areas of the house, you can ensure your pipes' integrity by keeping the temperature at a consistent rate, even if you're not home, to prevent freezing. We recommend a constant temp of 68°F to prevent potential issues, but every home and owner's comfort needs will be different.  This can be especially important when Pearson Realty Group’s Chicago REO team is prepping unoccupied inventory for the winter season.

5. Prepare Your Roof and Attic

Heavy snow and ice buildup can cause roof damage or even collapse in extreme cases. Attic insulation can also help prevent heat from escaping, further lowering your energy bills. Ensure your roof is ready to bear the weight of a snowy winter by inspecting your roof for missing/damaged shingles and making repairs as needed. It's also a good idea to clear out your attic and make sure it's properly insulated to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. If you see any evidence of water damage, you should address this immediately. Preparing a roof and attic for the tough winter season is a significant portion of the preventative maintenance responsibilities PRG Management takes on for both residential and commercial spaces to ensure the building and its tenants are safe and sound.

Winterization for Renters: Essential Tips

If you’re a renter, there are still proactive steps you can take to ensure your home is warm and energy-efficient during the winter months. It’s also a good idea to check with your landlord about any shared responsibilities, like shoveling snow, salting walkways, or replacing filters to ensure you are doing everything you can to keep your home warm and comfortable. Here are a few renter-friendly winterization steps that we recommend:

• Ask your landlord to service the heating system and replace the filters.

• Use draft stoppers (or rolled-up towels) at the bottom of doors to prevent cold air from seeping in.

• Add thermal curtains to windows for extra insulation. Insulation Shrink Kits are another suitable budget-friendly solution.

• Reverse your ceiling fans to cycle warm air downward and circulate it more effectively.

• Keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature, even when you're not home, to prevent pipes from freezing.

READ MORE: Apartment Renter Tips for Chicago Winters

Expert Tips from Fannie Mae

According to Fannie Mae, proper home maintenance during winter can reduce energy costs and help avoid damage that could affect the home’s value. Remember that you may need a professional to handle more advanced maintenance and repairs. Here are a few steps that not only save money but can also increase the overall comfort and safety of your home during the winter months:

• Review insurance coverage: Know what your policies cover—policy changes can’t be made during a disaster.

• Prepare an emergency kit: Include chargers, flashlights, batteries, blankets, first aid, water, and nonperishable foods.

• Use resilient materials: Opt for windproof windows, fireproof siding, and durable roofing when making improvements.

• Store valuables securely: Use weatherproof containers or safes for heirlooms and important documents.

Our partners at Pearson Realty Group's Chicago REO & Short Sale department utilize in-depth guides from Fannie Mae that provide efficient processes that allow them to winterize REO properties and REO winterization services in a timely, budget-friendly fashion.

Winterizing your Chicago home is not just an annoying task to cross off your to-do list—it’s a crucial step to protect your home and improve energy efficiency while keeping your family safe and comfortable throughout the winter season. Whether you're a homeowner or renter, taking proactive measures now will save you time, money, and stress once the snow starts to fall.

As you prepare for the upcoming winter, refer back to PRG Management's 2024 Chicago Winterization Guide to ensure you haven’t missed any crucial steps. With proper planning, your home will be ready to withstand even the harshest Chicago winter. If you plan on selling this winter, contact our partners at Pearson Realty Group today to get in touch with an experienced Chicagoland real estate agent who can guide you through the best practices for listing your home during the winter. Owners and investors looking for assistance in managing your building's winterization efforts, and beyond contact our Chicago property management team or fill out the form below for a free proposal.

Apartment Renter Tips for Chicago Winters

From some basic quality of life for city winters as well as how to save money on utilities during cold spells, these are some essential apartment renter tips on how to thrive in your Chicago Winters rental.

We always recommended checking with your landlord or property manager to ensure any sort of "improvements" or "alterations" you do are performed properly. There may be a professional vendor that your property owner may prefer to any DIY repairs.

Re-caulk or Wrap Windows

One way cold seeps into your apartment during Chicago winters (especially in older buildings) is cracks & gaps in your windows forming over time. An easy fix is to purchase from caulk to re-seal any cold breezes coming through window gaps. Another method that is quite effective, but less visually pleasing/functional is to use a Shrink Film Insulator Kit. This can be particularly useful in some older homes that do not have modern energy-efficient windows. Making sure your landlord is okay with you sealing the windows is always a good idea, as they may have a professional(s) to perform the task.

Door Draft Stopper

Threading the same needle as window leaks, gaps in your doors can cause your heating bill to be larger by allowing heat to escape. This is much easier to determine compared to window leaks but has extremely similar solutions - to seal the gap. Draft stoppers are popular fixes and come in many styles whether they be plastic strips that stick to your door or weighted cloth insulators. It will take you longer to order than it will to install - a no-brainer energy-saving method.

Use Carpet or Rugs for Insulation

Many older apartments (especially two and four flats) in the city will primarily have wood flooring, which tends to retain the cold temperatures. Buying runner and area rugs go a long way in providing simple insulation for your apartment's overall temperature. You will find the heater running less and less when you have things like rugs that can retain a bit of 'heat'. This is will also insulate any noise you make (to a degree) so this is a great cheap, simple, no-brainer quality of life improvement for any apartment renter. 

Check out the full list of apartment renter tips for Chicago winters HERE!

Windows Energy Savings - What To Look For

Heating during Chicago winters is expensive, and here at PRG Management, we try to work towards finding you cost-effective, sustainable energy savings to help ease your electric and gas bills when it gets cold.

One option is to upgrade your old windows to energy efficient windows.  Energy star qualified windows start at around $100 for a normal sized single-hung window.  Energy Star Windows can help you save an estimated $126-$465 a year. 

Making an informed decision is important, so here are some options you can get if you are looking for new windows:

Common Frame Materials

o   Fiberglass: Paintable, low maintenance, and good thermal performance, but costly.

o   Vinyl: Good thermal performance and cheap.  Nonpaintable and easily cracked during the winter due to expansion and contraction.

o   Wood: Good thermal performance.  It needs heavy maintenance and has a high cost for quality frames.

o   Aluminum: Strong, good color choices, and low maintenance.  Quality is varied, and thermal performance is low.  More suited for warmer climates.

SHGC and U-Factor Glazing Ratings

o   Most glass now has 2 panes of glass and a low-e coating for lowering heat transfer to ensure better insulation in your home.  For colder climates, what you want is high-SHGC and low U-factor windows.

o   SHGC is an indicated value of how much solar radiation is passed through a window assembly.  The higher the solar heat gain coefficient; the more solar heat it transmits.

o   U-Factor is an indicated value of a window assembly’s ability to resist heat flow and insulate.  Lower U-Factor numbers indicate better insulating properties.

Other items to look for

o   Multiple panes of glass with a gap between create an air buffer to insulate your home better.

o   Different gases can be used to fill the double or triple panes of glass for less thermal conductivity and better insulation.

o   Low-e(missions) coating reflects Infrared and UV light from the outside, and also keeps your heat locked indoors.

Choosing The Right Salt This Winter

With the winter season approaching fast, we know that Chicago winters can be very unpredictable when it comes to winter weather.  Buildings and Associations should be preparing to get good pricing on snow removal and salt before the snow and cold sneak up on you.

An important decision for buildings every year is what kind of de-icer to use for the season.  Common walkways must be de-iced to ensure the safety and comfort of walking around your property.  Here are some comparisons of different snow-melting salt options PRG Management has reviewed to help you decide on property management in Chicago this winter.

·         Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride

o   Price scale: Medium

o   Fast acting and effective alternative to the commonly used rock salt.  Mostly safe for grass if used minimally to moderately.  Melts to -25 degrees F.

·         Magnesium Chloride

o   Price scale: Medium

o   Fast acting and effective alternative to the commonly used rock salt.  Mostly safe for grass if used minimally to moderately.  Melts to -13 degrees F, and has a higher chance of damaging asphalt or sidewalks.

·         Potassium Chloride

o   Price Scale: High

o   Safest Pet and Garden friendly alternative.  Melts to -25 degrees F.

·         Sodium Chloride/Rock Salt

o   Price Scale: Low

o   Basic rock salt.  Extremely cheap but toxic to pets, damages surfaces, and not garden-friendly.

·         Metal and stairs

o   Metal and stairs can be a hassle.  There are several options for melting ice on metal stairs to minimize, such as Urea based de-icers or using a brine (liquid de-icer) solution.  Another solution would be to use Sand.  Sand is not a de-icer, but if you shovel beforehand, sand can provide traction for walking on the stairs along with preventing new ice from forming on top of it.

These are the most common types of de-icer that we at PRG Property Management have worked with in the past.  As a premier Property Management company in Chicago, we are more than happy to help your building manage any upcoming winter woes to ensure a safe environment for everyone!