2016 Farmers Almanac Winter Outlook

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, New Yorkers may experience a bit of déjà vu this winter, with another snowy and bitter cold few months. With a “secret formula” locked away at headquarters, the Farmers’ Almanac has been predicting the weather since 1818 and claims to be 80% accurate. Going to Wegmans, need anything?

With about a month until it’s officially winter, homeowners are pulling out their blankets and winter clothes, and preparing to only leave the house for work and trips to Wegmans. And while it’s one thing to mentally prepare for winter, it’s another to make sure your home will keep you as warm and comfortable as possible.

Have you checked how well your windows and doors keep out the cold? Did you know that installing storm windows is “one of the most cost-effective solutions for upgrading energy inefficient existing windows,” according to U.S. Dept. of Energy? Storm doors also insulate just like storm windows, providing an extra layer of protection for your home.

If you have storm windows sitting somewhere in your garage or shed, it’s worth carving some time out to install them. “On average, Low-E storm windows can save you 12% – 33% in heating and cooling costs,” says energy.gov. And if you don’t already have a storm door, it’s a wise year-round investment, adding that extra thermal barrier in the winter and letting in the sun and a breeze in the spring.

Take the time to check your windows and doors before the Almanac’s prediction of “snowier-than-normal conditions” comes true.