Energy saving tips to save you money this winter

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • August 3, 2011
  • 269
                        
Summary: A few tips and some common sense can help lower energy costs in your home this winter. Making affordable improvements to your home will keep you warmer without turning up the thermostat. A little time and money spent now will save you money in the long run. Just like we put the tank tops and shorts away and get out the heavy coats, hats and scarves in the fall so to must we prepare the house for the colder weather. As much as 29% of energy costs are for heating our homes according to the U.S. Department of Energy. When we take steps to reduce consumption those costs are decreased and we save money without sacrificing comfort. Add insulation in the attic Adding insulation to the attic is one way to stay warmer and reduce energy costs. The price of insulation varies but it is effective and can pay for itself rather quickly. Insulation helps to minimize conduction and allows the home to stay warmer in cool weather and cooler in warm weather. The effectiveness of insulation is based on its r-value. R-value insulation ratings are used in measuring how well the insulation product can resist the flow of heat. Insulation products with a higher r-value are more effective than those with lower r-values. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends r-49-60 insulation for our region. Install a programmable thermostat You can save money on your energy bills when you install a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature of your home depending on when you are home, when you go to sleep and when you wake up simply by reducing the temperature by 8 degrees at night or when you are away and 4 degrees higher in the summer during the same periods of time. According to Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical home in our region could save $180 annually on heating costs when they install a programmable thermostat. Do-it-yourselfers can install a programmable thermostat on their own or a licensed HVAC contractor can be hired to do it. Change your air filter Check the air filter on your forced air heating and cooling system on a regular basis. If it looks dirty, change it. Always change the filter every three months to allow air to flow efficiently. When the air filter is clogged it slows down the flow of air and the system has to work harder to keep the temperature in your home regulated. Air filters are inexpensive and available at hardware, drug, and home improvement stores. Buy a few at time so you always have one when you need it. Seal cracks Inspect seals around windows and doors. Even a small opening will cause heat loss. There are different caulking materials available that are specifically designed to seal openings and last for years. Water-based silicone caulking is easy to use to seal cracks around windows and doors. Larger openings might require a foam caulking compound that expands. The best time to apply caulk is in dry weather with the temperature above 45 degrees. Pick a day when the humidity is low for better adhesion. If you are applying caulk to a crack that has previously been caulked, remove the old caulk first. Lock windows Don’t just shut windows in cold weather, lock them. Locking the windows creates a tighter seal and prevents heat loss. Keeping your home warmer doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Using these suggestions and common sense can be affordable and usually pay for itself in a short period of time. When it is cold resist the urge to simply turn the thermostat higher. Reach for an extra layer of clothing or an additional blanket. Get up and move around. We are warmer when we are not so sedentary. Drink warm beverages and know that it won’t be long before you are putting the heavy coats away and wondering if you can still fit into last year’s swim suit.


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