Winters in Southeast Michigan can feel relentless — freezing nights, unpredictable temperature swings, and heating bills that only seem to climb. Whether you're in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, Macomb, Livingston, or Downriver, you're probably already feeling the impact. And if you're like most homeowners, you want solutions that actually work, without wasting money or making your home uncomfortable.
In a recent Hire It Done episode, Adam Helfman shared real-world, practical strategies that homeowners can use right now to stay warm and save money.
These tips aren’t complicated.
They’re not expensive.
They’re based on how Michigan homes actually perform in winter — and they can make a noticeable difference starting today.
If you want a winter that feels warmer, more efficient, and less draining on your wallet, this breakdown gives you everything you need.
Why Michigan Homes Lose So Much Heat
Michigan homes, especially older builds, fight against several challenges during winter. Temperatures swing dramatically, insulation in many homes is outdated, and furnaces often work harder than they should because the house can’t hold heat.
Heat escapes through attics, windows, crawl spaces, and unsealed gaps. And when warm air escapes quickly, your furnace ends up running non-stop just to keep up.
Adam summed it up clearly:
“You want to save energy? Set your thermostat back. You want to save energy? Add insulation.”
But beyond insulation upgrades, your daily habits inside the home affect your comfort more than you might realize.
Layer Up Before Adjusting the Thermostat
One of the simplest ways to save energy starts with what you wear. Instead of immediately turning up the thermostat when you start feeling cold, add a layer first. Adam put it with his usual humor:
“When you get home, you’re cold… layer up. More layers of clothes, the better.” — Adam Helfman
The more heat your body can retain, the less you’ll rely on your furnace. A hoodie, thicker socks, Sweats, and an undershirt go a long way. These small changes help keep your house feeling comfortable without forcing your furnace to work overtime.
Use the Thermostat Wisely
One of the biggest missed opportunities for homeowners is strategic thermostat use. Adam highlighted one of the most important rules:
“Set your thermostat back three degrees… a 3-degree difference for eight hours is a 15% savings.”
If you normally keep your thermostat at 72°, try setting it to 69° overnight or while you're away. Those small shifts can produce significant savings over the winter.
Fan Setting Matters More Than You Think
Instead of leaving your thermostat fan on “Auto,” switch it to “On” during the winter months. Adam explained that continuous airflow helps circulate warm air more evenly throughout the house.
This prevents cold pockets from forming and reduces how often the furnace needs to fire back up.
Improve Indoor Comfort with Proper Humidity
Humidity is one of the most overlooked factors affecting comfort and heating efficiency. A home that’s too dry always feels colder — which means you’re tempted to keep turning the heat up.
Adam shared this simple but crucial tip:
“Go to your hardware store and buy a hygrometer… You want to set the humidity to 36%.”
A humidity level around 36% helps your home feel warmer without adjusting the thermostat.
If you have an older furnace without a built-in humidifier, portable humidifiers can help add moisture back into the air. It’s a small investment that leads to a big comfort improvement.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans in Winter
Warm air naturally rises. That means a lot of the heat you’re paying for ends up sitting near the ceiling instead of where you can feel it. Adam had a simple fix:
“Stop the ceiling fan and reverse the direction so it draws the air up.”
Reversing your fan recirculates warm air down into the room, helping your home maintain steady temperatures without extra furnace usage.
Pay Attention If Your Thermostat Never Reaches the Set Temperature
This is one of the clearest signs your home is losing energy. Roberto mentioned during the episode that in his previous home, the thermostat never reached the temperature he set. Adam immediately called out the issue:
“Your furnace is probably not sized properly… you’re losing heat as fast as you’re pouring it in.”
When your thermostat never hits the target temperature, the problem could be:
- Missing or outdated attic insulation
- Poor air sealing
- Undersized furnace
- Crawl space moisture problems
- Leaky ductwork
These issues are common in older Michigan homes. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, the fix might be simpler than you think — but it requires a professional evaluation to identify the root cause.
Don’t Forget About Your Ductwork
Uneven room temperatures, cold spots, and inconsistent airflow can sometimes be traced back to ductwork that’s loose, leaking, or poorly insulated. This is especially common in older homes with unfinished basements or long duct runs.
Even small leaks can force your furnace to work harder, pushing your heating costs higher without you noticing. If you haven’t had your ducts inspected in a while, it may be time.
Stay Ahead of Snow and Ice
Snow and ice buildup around your home can also influence comfort and energy efficiency. Adam recommended applying ice melt before the snow starts:
“Whatever you use, spread it before the snow starts… you’ll save your dog’s paws and your concrete won’t get ruined.”
Staying ahead of snow makes your home safer and reduces the cold drafts that sneak in when snow piles against entrances.
While the episode focused on pet-safe ice melters, the bigger takeaway is this: winter prep has a direct impact on how your home handles heat loss.
Signs You Need More Than Simple Energy Tips
You may need professional help if you notice:
- Rooms that never warm up, no matter what you do.
- A furnace that runs constantly.
- Significant temperature differences between floors.
- Condensation on windows.
- Heating bills that feel unusually high compared to previous winters.
These are all signs of underlying issues, often related to insulation, air sealing, or HVAC performance.
When to Call a Professional
Not all winter comfort issues can be solved with habits alone. You may need a home energy specialist to inspect your attic insulation, check your furnace size, evaluate your ductwork, and look for air leaks around your home.
SE Michigan homes — especially those built before 1990 — often benefit from insulation upgrades or furnace adjustments. If your home feels uncomfortable or inefficient, a professional like Dana Insulation can quickly diagnose where energy is escaping and show you the most cost-effective way to fix it.
Final Thoughts: Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Winter energy savings don’t always come from big projects. Many of the fixes Adam shared in this recent Hire It Done episode are small habits that create meaningful improvements:
- Layer up before adjusting the heat
- Keep your thermostat settings strategic
- Reverse your ceiling fans
- Improve indoor humidity
- Circulate warm air with your furnace fan
- Stay ahead of snow and ice buildup
Combined, these steps can help you stay warm, manage your bills, and make your home feel far more comfortable throughout Michigan’s toughest months.
And when you’re ready to upgrade insulation, s
eal gaps, or improve HVAC performance, you’ll be taking your home’s efficiency to the next level.
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