18 Easy Home Winterization Projects
Make your home feel warmer without turning up the heat this winter. With
these winterization tips, you'll save energy without spending much money
1.
Dodge the Draft(s)
According
to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5% to 30% of your energy
use. Start simple and adopt that old Great Depression fixture -- the draft
snake, which you can easily make yourself. Just place a rolled bath towel under
a drafty door, or make a more attractive DIY draft snake with googly eyes, felt
tongues and the like. You can use any scraps of fabric -- even neckties -- and
fill with sand or kitty litter for heft.
Make
sure drafts aren't giving your thermostat a false reading too, and read on for
more advanced solutions.
2.
Change Furnace Filters
Yes
it's easy to forget, but it's important to replace or clean furnace filters
once a month during the heating season. Dirty filters restrict airflow and
increase energy demand. Here's a worry-saving tip: mark a monthly check on your
calendar.
Better,
consider switching to a permanent filter, which will reduce waste and hassle.
Did you know that disposable fiberglass filters trap a measly 10 to 40% of debris?
Electrostatic filters trap around 88%, and are much better at controlling the
bacteria, mold, viruses and pollen that cause illness and irritation. They cost
$50 to $1,000 or more. Another good choice is a genuine HEPA filter (like the
one pictured), which can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles. HEPA
filters are based on Department of Energy standards. But avoid
"HEPA-like" filters, which can be vastly less effective.
If
your entire furnace is in need of replacement, it will cost a lot more -- but
replacing an inefficient burner for a modern machine will save you every month
through the heating season.
3.
Run Fans in Reverse
Most
people think of fans only when they want to be cool, but many ceiling units
come with a handy switch that reverses the direction of the blades. Counterclockwise
rotation produces cooling breezes while switching to clockwise makes it warmer:
air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space - cutting
your heating costs as much as 10%!
4.
Winterize Your A/C and Water Lines
This
one's really easy, and it will even save you a few pennies next summer, too:
Simply drain any hoses and air conditioner pipes, and make sure you don't have
excess water pooled in equipment. If your a/c has a water shutoff valve, go
ahead and turn that off.
Similarly,
make sure any hoses are drained and stowed away neatly. Turn off exterior water
spigots. It's also a good idea to seal any water leaks around the place -- and
don't forget to remove any window A/C units and store them so you don't invite
cold drafts all winter.
If
you're in the market for a new air conditioner, the federal government will
reimburse 30% of the cost for an efficient central air system, up to
$1,500.
5.
Turn Down Your Water Heater
While
many conventional water heaters are set to 140 degrees F by installers, most
households don't need that much steam, and end up paying for it -- in dollars
and the occasional scalding burn. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees F (or
lower) would reduce your water heating costs by 6% to 10%.
If
you start to wonder why you need a tank at all, then you may be ready for a tankless
water heater, or to go solar.
6.
Install Storm Doors and Windows
The
simple act of installing a storm door can increase energy efficiency by 45%, by
sealing drafts and reducing air flow. Storm doors also offer greater
flexibility for letting light and ventilation enter your home. Look for Energy
Star-certified models.
Similarly,
storm windows can make a huge difference when the cold wind starts blowing. It
may be a pain, but it is well worth it to get them out of the shed or attic and
install them for the season. (Make sure each is securely shut -- they don't do
much good if you leave them in the up position by mistake!)
7.
Give Your Heating System a Tune-Up
You
probably already know that cars need periodic tune-ups in order to run their
best. Well the same is true for heating equipment. Keeping your furnace clean,
lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5% of
heating costs.
The
good news is many utilities offer free annual checkups by qualified technicians
-- but you often have to call early, as HVAC crews get backed up once heating
season starts. Some furnace manufacturers and dealers also offer free or
discounted inspections.
If
your entire furnace is in need of replacement, it will cost a lot more -- but
replacing an inefficient burner for a modern machine will save you every month
through the heating season.
8.
Mind That Thermostat
It's
easy to forget to turn down the heat when you leave the building, but doing so
is one of the surest ways to save money. Most households shell out 50 to 70% of
their energy budgets on heating and cooling, so why pay for what no one uses?
For
every degree you lower the thermostat during heating season, you'll save
between 1 and 3% of your heating bill. Make it easier with a programmable
thermostat; they are widely available for as little as $50, and the average
family will save $180 a year with one.
Go
a step further and ask your local utility if it's making smart meters available
in your area, as part of recent federal smart grid investments.
9.
Put Up Some Plastic
For
just a few dollars, pick up a window insulation kit at your local hardware or
discount store. Don't worry -- properly installed, window plastic is
essentially invisible. Adding a buffer against drafts and extra still air space
can give a nice boost to your home's ability to hold heat.
Save
even more by hiring a pro to install a high-tech "low-e" film
directly to the window glass.
10.
Use an Energy Monitor
Measure
your way to savings with an energy monitor (pictured is the TED, The Energy
Detective, which starts at $139). Such a device indicates household electrical
usage in real time and projects your monthly bill. Research has found that such
info leads consumers to reduce their electricity consumption significantly.
In
fact, according to the company you'll save 15%-20% on each bill, which would
amount to hundreds of dollars a year. By seeing exactly how much each appliance
or activity costs, you'll start seeing easy ways to cut waste.
Go
a step further and ask your local utility if it's making smart meters available
in your area, as part of recent federal smart grid investments.
11.
Use Caulking and Weatherstripping
Simple
leaks can sap home energy efficiency by 5% to 30% a year, according to the U.S.
Department of Energy. That means it pays to seal up gaps with caulking and
weatherstripping.
Take
a close look at places where two different building materials meet, such as
corners, around chimneys, where pipes or wires exit and along the foundation.
Use the incense test: carefully (avoiding drapes and other flammables) move a
lit stick along walls; where the smoke wavers, you have air sneaking in. And
heating or cooling sneaking out.
In
another method, have someone on the outside blow a hair dryer around each
window while you hold a lighted candle inside. If the candle flickers or goes
out, you need to caulk or weather strip around the frame.
Low-income
households can qualify for an average of $6,500 worth of weatherization
improvements to their homes through government programs administered by each
state. Find out about your state's program by contacting local energy agencies.
12.
Put on a Sweater
Make
like Jimmy Carter and dress warmer for winter, even inside. Gone are the days
(for most of us at least) when we can afford to lounge around in our underwear
while it's frosty outside. Remember what we said about each degree on the
thermostat costing you money?
Roughly
speaking, a light long-sleeved sweater is worth about 2 degrees in added
warmth, while a heavy sweater adds about 4 degrees. So cozy up and start
saving.
13.
Boost Insulation
It
may not seem sexy, but insulation is one of the best ways to save energy and
money at home. It can make a big difference to add more insulation between
walls, and make sure your attic floor and basement ceiling are well covered.
The
federal government will reimburse you for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500 for highly efficient
insulation. Additionally, low-income households can qualify for an average of
$6,500 worth of weatherization improvements to their homes through government
programs administered by each state. Find out about your state's program by contacting local energy
agencies.
14.
Insulate Your Pipes
Pay
less for hot water by insulating pipes. That can also help decrease the chance
of pipes freezing, which can be disastrous. Check to see if your pipes are warm
to the touch. If so, they are good candidates for insulation. (Use the same
method to determine if your hot water heater would benefit from some
insulation.)
You
can get pre-slit pipe foam at most hardware stores. Cut it to size and fasten
in place with duct tape. Ideally, choose the insulation with the highest
R-value practical, which is a measure of its heat-blocking power. Pipe
insulation is often R-3 or, for batt styles that you wrap around, a stronger
R-7.
15.
Seal Those Ducts
Moving
even deeper into your home's infrastructure ... one encounters duct work.
Studies show 10% to 30% of heated (or cooled) air in an average system escapes
from ducts.
Therefore,
it could pay to hire a professional technician to come out and test your duct
system, and fix any problems. Properly sealing ducts can save the average home
up to $140 annually, according to the American Solar Energy Society. Plus,
you'll have better protection against mold and dust.
Many
utilities offer incentive programs for duct improvement. Be wary of "duct
cleaning" services, however; absent an air quality problem, most homes
don't need their ducts cleaned.
Additionally,
low-income households can qualify for an average of $6,500 worth of
weatherization improvements to their homes through government programs
administered by each state. Find out about your state's program by contacting local energy
agencies.
16.
Choose the Right Contractor
To
choose which project to tackle first, it may help to try and perform your own energy
audit, or, if some of these improvements prove to be a little ambitious for
you, hire an expert. But how do you get someone who shares your values?
Green
building pros are setting up shop all across the country, so they're getting
easier to find. The Department of Energy certifies Energy
Star home performance contractors, who are trained to improve energy
efficiency in residential homes. (Be careful: many state and federal incentives
require that the work be done by a certified contractor -- so check the rules
before hiring anyone.) Ask potential contractors about their interest in and
experience with going green, and find out if they are approved for work that
qualifies for a green home label.
17.
Get Creative and Go Alternative
Various
local, state and federal incentives exist to encourage the use of alternative energy technologies, like solar panels,
geothermal heating and cooling, biomass stoves, small wind turbines and even
fuel cells -- all of which require a front-end investment that typically pays
itself off in energy savings over a number of years.
Whereas
most incentives for energy efficiency improvements are capped at $1,500 --
incentives for most household alternative energies cover fully 30% of the cost
of, with no cap. (Learn more about geothermal heating and cooling from Climate
Master)
18.
Upgrade to an Efficient Furnace
Thankfully
it's not something you have to do every year (or even every decade), but if
your furnace is old you could save a lot of money in the long run (and improve
your home's value) by upgrading to a new unit.
Make
it an Energy Star-certified furnace and you'll save 15% to 20% versus standard
new models. You could save 50% or more compared with many old furnaces still in
operation.
Lilly
"Waynnie" Belcher
I
am a customer driven Realtor dedicated to achieving results and providing
exceptional service. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, I will put
my 20+ years of real estate expertise to work for you!
Contact
Me: 615-400-3129 or 615-672-6729
Each
EXIT Office Independently Owned and Operated
