November is here, bringing festive music, holiday spirit… and cold weather! Here are some tips and tricks on how to winterize your home and protect it during Mother Nature’s colder months.
By following some of these tips, you’ll save energy and stay a little warmer this winter.
1. Dodge the Draft
Cold air can sneak through those pesky cracks between the bottom of your door frame and the floor. By adding a draft snake, you can keep some of that cold air outside, and your warm heat inside.
For windows, you can pick up a window insulation kit. Practically invisible, plastic window insulation help to buffer against those drafts.
Another technique? use caulking and weatherstripping to seal-up gaps and prevent heat from sneaking out of your home. If you’re unsure whether or not caulking is necessary, have a friend outside blow a hair dryer around each window while you hold a lighted candle inside. If the candle flickers or goes out, you might want to consider taking some steps towards draft prevention!
2. Winterize Your A/C and Water Lines
“Winterizing” is more simple than it sounds- simply drain any hoses and air condition pipes, and make sure that you don’t have any excess water pooled in any equipment. Turn off exterior water spigots and seal any water leaks around your home. Then stow away your hoses and window A/C units until next summer!
3. Ceiling Fans are not just for Summer Breezes!
Many ceiling fans come with blade-reversal capability that enables the homeowner to produce a warming clockwise rotation. With a clockwise rotation, the warm air pooled near the ceiling will be circulated back into your living space! A simple way to save a bit on heating costs.
4. Keep Your Furnace Running Smoothly
Remember to clean or replace those furnace filters once a month during the heating season. The dirtier the filter, the more restricted the airflow. Save money and keep air flowing freely by maintaining and lubricating your filters. Many utilities even offer free or discounted annual furnace checkups by certified technicians.
Not too keen on switching filters every month? Consider a permanent filter! Though initially more expensive, a permanent filter may be worth the money in the long run, as permanent filters are much better than traditional filters at trapping bacteria, mold, viruses, and pollen.
If airborne particles are a major concern, consider a genuine HEPA filter, which can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles.
Need to replace your entire furnace? Be sure to take advantage of the federal tax credits offered for new furnaces. Energy Star-Certified furnaces may be worth a consideration, as they’ll help you save up to 20% more than standard models.
5. Turn Down Your Water Heater
Most households don’t need the 140° F of steam that the majority of conventional water heaters are set to; lowering the temperature down to 120° F can reduce your water heating costs by as much as 10%.
There are always other water heating options, like tankless water heaters and solar power. See our blog post on solar power for more energy-saving ideas.
6. Install Storm Doors and Windows
If you’re wondering about the effectiveness of storm doors and windows, consider that they can increase your home’s energy efficiency by up to 45% by sealing out drafts and reducing interior to exterior airflow. Annually installing and removing storm windows and doors may be a bit of a pain, but the warmth and energy savings are sure to make up for the extra hassle.
7. Keep an Eye on Your Thermostat
Turn down the heat when you leave your home. You’re not there, so why let an empty home eat up all your heating funds?! Set your programmable thermostat to 66 or 68° when you’re away, and 70° when you’re home.
8. Invest in an Energy Monitor
Worried about your energy consumption? Consider purchasing an energy monitor to track your energy usage in real time, and to project your monthly bill. When confronted with a monthly bill projection, most users are motivated to significantly reduce their electricity consumption.
Another option? See if smart meters, a part of recent federal smart gird investments, are available in your area.
9. Seal those Ducts!
Studies show that it may pay to hire a professional technician to come out and test your duct system. Properly sealing ducts can save you hundreds in heating costs annually.
10. Boost Insulation
Insulation is one of the best ways to save energy and money in your home. Add more insulation between walls and make sure that your attic flow and basement ceiling are well covered. You can also insulate your pipes with pre-slit pipe foam. If your pipes are warm to the touch, they are good candidates for insulation. Insulating these pipes can help you save money on hot water.
Be sure to check back on the blog for more homeowner tips!