Are you ready for Winter?

Is your home ready for winter?


Some very simple and inexpensive steps could help you save this winter. The Consumer Energy Center Organization offers many tips to prevent wasting hard earned dollars.

Some of the biggest waste of energy is when heat escapes through leaks in windows, doors, fireplace dampers, ducts, wires, and pipes. A well-sealed home is an energy-effecient home and can save you as much as 10-15% on heating bills. Start by checking the caulking and weather-stripping around your doors and windows and repair or replace if needed.

Fireplaces are great and can help keep your toes toasty, however, you want to make sure that damper is closed when it isn't being used. Also, make sure you have your woodburning chimney cleaned before that first fire.

Don't foret the attic and basement. These areas cause considerable heat loss if not sealed. If you have pull-down stairs make sure the door closes tightly. Turn the attic light on and close the door, can you see light? Try using a thin high density weather-stripping that you just peal and stick to the outer edge of the pull-down door. You can also tuck faced insulation under the ladder rungs to insulate the door (paper side down).

Ceiling fans are another thing most people overlook. By changing the direction of the fan this helps push the warm air that has risen back down without the cooler force we want in the summer.

And last, the heating system. Have an annual (some like semi-annual) system check. Some equipment, much like us, when we haven't been used in a while tend to forget how to work properly. An improper working heating system can cost you. If the system doesn't turn off when it should not only does this use more energy $$, but could also be a safety issue. Try setting your termostat back a few degrees when you leave in the morning so the unit doesn't run all day when no one is home. You might even consider replacing your termostat with a programmable one. There are many to chose from with multiple daily setting and are inexpensive to purchase. It takes less energy to warm your home in the late afternoon than it does to keep it warm all day. This could even reduce you heating costs 20-75%. You should also replace you filter or filters each month. I know, it's not that dirty, but if you skip it this month you may forget and skip it next month too. Have you ever tried to breathe with your hand over your mouth and nose? That's what your unit is trying to do if you don't change that filter. The easier and more smoothly it is for the unit to run the better. I found that the best way to remember to change the filter is to change it when you pay your utility bill each month. It doesn't have to be the same day each month, but that is one less thing to keep up with in this busy world we live in.

Now, wasn't that simple?