Be More Energy Efficient - Winterize Your Home
Even homes with adequate insulation material and water pipe heat
tape can be further fortified for winter months. Regardless if winter
is already well under way, it still isn’t too late to winterize
your home. The following steps can save you time, money, and help
you avoid inconvenient cold-weather emergencies.
-
Check insulation: be sure your attic, basement, and exterior
walls are properly insulated and up to code. Depending upon insulation
product used, replace or add to batt insulation (also known as
blanket insulation) or other insulation material. If you have
blown in insulation, a building contractor can determine whether
or not more is required.
- Check for cold air entry ports: give your house the once-over;
look for areas where cold air can seep in, and inside heat escape
– adding to fuel costs. Check external wall electrical outlets,
switch-plates, and gaps around windows and doors. Foam insulation
made for outlet and switch placement is inexpensive, a breeze
to install, and effective. Door weather stripping and window weather
stripping made from metal, vinyl, sponge, felt, or foam can also
help considerably. Caulk draft areas where weather stripping is
not appropriate.
- Check furnace: this may not fit under the winterize your
home category, but replacing the furnace filter every 4 to 6 weeks
will help your furnace run more efficiently and cut down on heating
costs. If you suspect your furnace isn’t running at top
performance, have a heating repair contractor inspect it.
A programmable digital thermostat is another fuel bill cost cutter.
They are not difficult to install and are more temperature precise
than older types of thermostats. They can be programmed to automatically
lower temperature at night when everyone is asleep, and during times
when the house uninhabited. Of course, prior to winter
months make sure your gutters and downspouts are free from debris.
And outside hoses should be disconnected and stored away; insulate
outdoor faucets.
More Pre-Winter Ways to Cut Down on Fuel Costs
Aside from adequate home insulation, the use of either foam insulation
pipe or electric heat tape, and the suggestions listed above to
winterize your home, consider the following:
- Install an overhang above the entry way into your home to reduce
ice build up on steps and make them safer.
- A double efficient energy pane window can help cut heating and
cooling costs year round. An insulated window treatment, such
as an insulated window shade or insulated window curtain, will
also prove effective.
- Have chimneys, fireplaces, and woodstoves cleaned before winter
sets in to avoid problems caused by accumulated soot and other
debris.
- Acquire the services of a roof repair contractor to check loose
gutters, damaged shingles, or other repair needs.
One other tip – avoid applying rock salt or calcium chloride
to your roof to melt ice and snow. Use of either can damage shingles,
and possibly void the shingle manufacturer’s warranty.
If you want to winterize your home and make it more energy efficient,
HandyCanadian.com can help. Post your project online without cost.
It’s the fast, easy, obligation-free way to locate a reliable
building contractor in your area.
Service provider members are on standby, waiting to bid competitively
on your winterizing home project. To help you keep freezing temperatures
outside of your home, where it belongs!
To locate a reliable contractor in your area, post your project
online for free and receive bids from qualified professionals, ready
to compete for your business. Click
here to post your project.
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