Bismarck winters hit hard, and an empty house takes that cold harder than one with people in it. Most winter damage doesn’t come from the storm outside. It comes from a small air leak nobody sealed, a thermostat set too low, or a water heater and furnace left to run without a check.
Preparing your home for winter matters even more when you’ll be gone for months. This guide covers real home energy steps: how to seal your home, insulate the areas that matter most, and cut energy waste before you head south. Every homeowner in Bismarck can use these energy-saving steps to see real energy savings, avoid frozen pipes, and come home to a house that’s still in good shape.
You maximize home energy efficiency in Bismarck by sealing air leaks around windows and doors, insulating exposed pipes, setting a smart thermostat, and checking your furnace and water heater before you leave. Here’s how each step works.
Get a Home Energy Audit Before You Leave
A home energy audit shows you exactly where your house loses heat.
A local energy auditor walks through your home and checks your insulation, windows, doors, and heating system for energy loss. A professional home energy audit finds leaks you’d never catch on your own, and it saves you energy and money before winter even starts. Some utility companies and electric cooperatives offer a free or low-cost home energy assessment, so ask before you pay for one.
Seal Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors
Sealing air leaks is one of the fastest ways to stop energy waste in an empty house.
Old, drafty windows and doors are the biggest reason a Bismarck home loses heat while nobody’s home. A broken seal lets warm air escape and cold air in, all winter long, driving up your energy use more than most homeowners realize. Caulk any gaps around your window frames, and check around electrical outlets on exterior walls too. A well-sealed, comfortable home costs less to heat all winter.
Signs You Have Air Leaks
- You feel a draft near the window in December
- Frost builds up on the inside of the glass
- The frame feels cold when you touch it
- You can see daylight around the edges
- Your heating bill jumped for no clear reason
Don’t Forget Your Doors
Doors leak warm air the same way windows do. Run your hand along the frame on a cold day. Feel a draft? That gap lets heat escape every single day you’re gone. A cheap door sweep or new weatherstripping seals it fast.
Set Your Thermostat and Consider a Smart Thermostat
Winter energy costs climb fast once the temperature drops, and your thermostat setting controls most of that cost. Keep it between 55 and 65 degrees while you’re away.
A thermostat set below 55 degrees lets cold air win. Pipes inside exterior walls freeze first, and a burst pipe floods a room fast. Smart thermostats solve this well. They let you control the temperature from your phone, even from Texas, and send an alert the moment something goes wrong.
Have your home heating system checked before you leave too, including the furnace and any heat pump. A furnace working overtime with a clogged filter uses more energy and wears out faster. Checking your energy systems now helps ensure your heating system runs well all winter and prevents a bigger repair bill later.
Insulate to Cut Energy Loss
Good insulation is what keeps the heat you’re paying for inside your home.
Attic insulation stops warm air from rising straight through your roof. That’s often the single biggest source of heat loss in an older Bismarck home. Check your attic insulation, and add more if it looks thin or uneven. These upgrades reduce energy consumption all winter and make your home more comfortable the moment you walk back in.
Insulate Hot Water Pipes
Insulate hot water pipes and any accessible hot water pipes in your basement or crawl space. Wrapping these pipes lowers your water heater’s operating cost and protects them from freezing while you’re gone.
Watch Your Exterior Walls
Exterior walls near your plumbing lines need extra attention. If a wall feels cold to the touch, that’s usually a sign it needs more insulation behind it.
Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Windows
Energy-efficient, double-pane windows save you money long after winter ends. They cut your heating and cooling costs every season, not just while you’re away. South-facing windows let in useful winter sun, so newer, well-sealed glass here does double duty: it holds in heat and still lets that sunlight warm your rooms. Storm windows are a lower-cost option if a full window replacement isn’t in your budget yet. These home improvements pay for themselves over time.
| Benefit | What It Means for You |
| Lower energy bills | Less heat escapes, so your furnace works less |
| Less wear on your heating system | Your system doesn’t fight drafts all day |
| Fewer frozen pipes | Warmer walls mean less freeze risk near windows |
| Higher home value | Buyers notice new, tight windows right away |
The Window Source of Bismarck has helped local homeowners with energy-efficient window upgrades before winter trips for years. Their crew knows exactly what a Bismarck winter does to an old window.
Check Your Water Heater and Plumbing
Shut off your main water line and drain your pipes before you go. This one step stops the most expensive kind of winter damage.
Turn your water heater down to a lower setting instead of shutting it off completely, unless you’re draining your whole plumbing system. A burst pipe can flood your home in minutes, and nobody will be there to stop it.
Shut Off the Main Water Line
Find your main shutoff valve and turn it off. This stops water from flowing even if a pipe cracks.
Drain and Insulate Exposed Pipes
Open your faucets and drain the water out of the lines. Wrap any exposed pipes in your basement or crawl space with insulation to guard against a hard freeze.
Look Into Rebates and Incentives
Rebates and incentives can lower the cost of energy behind many of these upgrades.
The Department of Energy’s weatherization assistance program helps income-eligible households pay for insulation, air sealing, and other energy-efficient upgrades. Many electric cooperatives and utility companies also offer rebates on smart thermostats, heat pumps, and Energy Star-rated appliances. A few energy conservation habits, paired with the right upgrades, are surprisingly cost-effective over a full Bismarck winter. Check with your local utility before you buy, since a rebate can make an upgrade far more affordable.
Lock Down Home Security Too
Set timers on your lights and ask someone to check your house while you’re gone. An empty home in Bismarck for months needs eyes on it.
Use Motion Lights and Timers
Motion lights and timed lamps make your home look occupied. This costs almost nothing and helps a lot.
Ask a Neighbor or Hire a House Sitter
A neighbor who checks in weekly can catch a problem before it grows. Ask them to glance at your thermostat and check for leaks.
Handle Your Mail and Utilities
Pause your mail and forward what you can before you head south. Call your utility company too. Some offer lower rates for vacant homes in the colder months.
FAQs
What temperature should I leave my thermostat at when I go south for the winter?
Keep it between 55 and 65 degrees. This protects your pipes from freezing and still keeps your energy bill in check while you’re gone.
Do I need to shut off my water before leaving for the winter?
Yes. Shut off the main line and drain your pipes. This one step stops freeze damage while nobody is home to catch it.
How much can energy-efficient windows lower my heating bill?
Energy-efficient, double-pane windows stop warm air from leaking out through the glass. That means your furnace works less, and most Bismarck homeowners see their monthly heating bill drop right away.
Are there rebates for home energy upgrades in Bismarck?
Yes. Many utility companies and electric cooperatives offer rebates on smart thermostats and energy-efficient upgrades. Check the Department of Energy’s weatherisation assistance programme too if you qualify.
Can I leave my house heat off completely while I’m away?
No. Turning your heat off completely risks frozen pipes, even during a short Bismarck cold snap.
Ready to Head South Worry-Free?
Get your windows checked before you pack the car. The Window Source of Bismarck offers a free estimate to catch air leaks before winter hits hard. A little home energy work now means a warmer home waiting for you in spring. Call 7014267366 to schedule yours today.