Keep your home safe in extreme cold

Here’s what to do right now if dangerous cold is heading your way:

Protect Your Pipes (Next 30 Minutes)

• Open cabinet doors under sinks (let warm air reach pipes)
• Let faucets drip slightly just a pencil-thin stream
• Find your main water shut-off valve (usually near your water heater)

Keep Heat In (Next Hour)

• Close all curtains and blinds (creates an air barrier)
• Stuff towels against drafty doors and windows
• Close doors to unused rooms, focus heat where you are

Emergency Prep (Today)

• Charge devices and portable battery packs
• Fill containers with water (in case pipes freeze)
• Gather flashlights, batteries, blankets, snacks in one spot

Most Important: Never let your place drop below 55°F, even to save money.

If you lose heat during extreme cold, call your landlord immediately. This is an emergency.

1. Stop heat loss through windows and doors

Windows and doors are where most warm air escapes and cold air sneaks in. Even small gaps can increase your heating bills significantly and make your living room feel like a freezer.

To detect drafts, walk around your apartment with a lit candle or incense stick. Where the flame flickers, you’ve found heat loss that’s costing you money. Focus on window frames, door frames, and anywhere different materials meet.

Quick fixes for air leaks:

• Install weather stripping around windows and doors (under $10 per opening at hardware stores)
• Use caulk for permanent-looking gaps, but check with property managers first
• Create DIY draft stoppers using old towels, rice, or sand sewn into fabric tubes
• Seal windows with plastic window insulation kits applied with a hair dryer

These solutions are renter-friendly, as most peel off cleanly when you move and don’t require landlord permission.

2. Insulate floors and walls strategically

Cold floors and exterior walls can make even well-heated apartments feel chilly. Smart placement of rugs and wall coverings creates insulation barriers that keep you warmer while reducing energy costs.

Floor and wall warming strategies:

• Layer area rugs over hard floors, especially near exterior walls and in your living room
• Hang tapestries, large artwork, or thick blankets on exterior walls
• Rearrange furniture away from exterior walls during winter months
• Use thick bath mats in bathrooms and kitchen mats near sinks

Studies show that even basic wall coverings can raise surface temperatures by several degrees. Couches and beds against cold walls absorb heat instead of reflecting it back into your living space, so pull them a few inches away during the winter months.

3. Upgrade your window treatments

Standard blinds and lightweight curtains aren’t enough when temperatures drop. Upgrading to thermal curtains or adding layers can dramatically improve your apartment’s heat retention without permanent changes.

Install thermal curtains or heavy drapes over existing window treatments. Look for curtains with thermal backing or multiple layers of fabric. Layer light and heavy window treatments. Keep light curtains for privacy and add heavy ones for insulation during cold weather.

Window treatment tips:

• Close curtains and blinds at night to create an air barrier between windows and your living space
• Open them during sunny days for free solar heating
• Consider removable window films that add extra insulation and peel off easily for renters

4. Optimize your heating system

Whether you have radiators, baseboard heaters, or central air, small adjustments can make your heating system more energy efficient and reduce heating costs significantly.

Keep vents and radiators clear of furniture, curtains, and clutter. Blocked heating sources waste energy and create uneven temperatures throughout your apartment. Use your ceiling fan in reverse (clockwise) on low speed to push warm air down from the ceiling back into your living area.

HVAC optimization checklist:

• Set a smart thermostat or programmable schedule, lower when you’re away, but never below 55°F
• Bleed radiators if you have them (trapped air prevents proper heating)
• Close doors to unused rooms and focus heat where you spend time
• Keep interior doors open in main living areas for proper air circulation

5. Protect your pipes from freezing

Frozen pipes are every renter’s nightmare: they can burst, flood your apartment, and create thousands in damage. Prevention is simple, crucial, and can save you from major headaches.

Know where your main water shut-off is located and how to use it. In apartments, it’s often in a utility closet or near the water heater. This knowledge becomes critical if pipes do freeze and burst.

Essential pipe protection steps:

• Open cabinet doors under sinks during very cold weather to let warm air circulate around pipes
• Let faucets drip slightly when temperatures drop below freezing (moving water is harder to freeze)
• Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas with foam pipe insulation, towels, or newspaper
• Never use space heaters near pipes or in confined spaces like cabinets

Remember: space heaters are fire hazards and not effective for pipe protection. Stick to proper insulation and air circulation methods.

6. Prepare for winter storms and power outages

Winter weather can bring power outages, heating failures, and situations where you can’t safely leave your apartment. Being prepared means staying safe and comfortable when severe weather hits.

Winter emergency kit essentials:

• Flashlights and extra batteries (phone flashlights drain battery fast)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio for weather updates
• Non-perishable food for at least three days (items you can eat without cooking)
• Extra blankets, warm clothing layers, and sleeping bags
• Basic first aid supplies and prescription medications
• Bottled water in case pipes freeze and you can’t use taps
• Important phone numbers: property managers, utility companies, emergency contacts

Store your emergency supplies in an accessible location like under the bathroom sink or in a closet. Don’t wait until a storm is forecast to gather these items.

What to do before severe cold snaps

Regular winterization is great for preparing your apartment for normal winter weather. But when forecasts predict dangerous cold, blizzards, or winter storms, you need additional preparation to stay safe and prevent damage.

Pre-storm checklist (24-48 hours before severe weather):

• Check your heating system and ensure it’s working properly
• Stock extra food, water, and supplies for several days
• Charge all electronic devices and portable battery packs
• Bring outdoor items (plants, decorations, furniture) inside to prevent high winds damage
• Contact property managers about any heating or insulation concerns
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Know locations of warming centers in your area

During severe weather, never let your apartment temperature drop below 55°F, even if you’re trying to save money on energy bills. If you lose heat, contact property managers immediately and treat it as an emergency.

During winter storms:

• Run faucets slightly if indoor temperatures approach 40°F
• Stay in the warmest room and layer clothing and blankets
• Monitor weather reports and avoid unnecessary travel

Know your renter rights and responsibilities

Understanding what property managers handle versus what’s your responsibility helps you winterize effectively without overstepping boundaries or violating lease terms.

Renter responsibilities	Landlord responsibilities
Keeping your apartment warm enough to prevent pipe damage	Major heating system repairs and HVAC maintenance
Minor weatherproofing like weather stripping, draft stoppers, and window treatments	Significant insulation problems, broken windows, or structural heating issues
Reporting heating problems promptly (don’t let small issues become major damage)	Maintaining minimum temperatures
	Snow removal from main walkways and emergency access (policies vary by building)

When in doubt about what you can modify, check your lease or ask property managers before making changes that might affect your security deposit.

You’re ready for winter

Winterizing your apartment effectively means combining smart spending with strategic improvements. Most of these energy efficient upgrades cost under $100 total but can reduce your heating bills by hundreds over the winter months.

Take it step by step, focusing first on the improvements that give you the biggest impact for your budget. Your winter self will thank you when you’re cozy and warm while others are dealing with sky-high heating bills and frozen pipes.

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A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.