Easy Ways to Weatherize Your Home
Easy and affordable tips and ways to weatherize your home. Easy ways to reduce energy loss, finding and sealing air leaks, maintaining your heating and cooling systems, reducing heat loss from your fireplace, how to lower your water heating costs, setting your thermostat, and much more. The following weatherizing tips come highly recommended from the U.S. Dept. of Energy which highly recommend getting an energy audit for your home to determine what areas of your home are wasting energy and how you can improve them by making small repairs and adjustments (See list of ways to do it below). Be sure to watch our featured video "11 Ways to Weatherize Your Home" (below) for even more great weatherization tips!
Find and Seal Air Leaks Where Plumbing Comes Into Your Home
Seal air leaks under sinks where plumbing comes into the house and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets with spray foam insulation.
Seal off Drafts Underneath Doors
Your doors are a major source of heating and cooling costs. Make sure you have a glass screen door to reduce some drafts. You can use a piece of rubber cut to size and screw it to your door with a piece of wood at the bottom of your entrance doors but often times the rubber gets caught under the door and pulled off if it is too long. It may also damage your door. Under door sweep draft stoppers work very well, do not interfere with door movement and do not damage your door plus they are very affordable.
Set & Adjust Your Thermostat
Set your thermostat as low as possible during cold months and as high as possible during hot months. Set your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees while you sleep or are out of the house. Doing this can save 10% on your heating and cooling costs. Use a programmable thermostat to make this process easier.
Weatherize Your Windows
Open Curtains During the Day in Winter Months. East side curtains in the morning and West side curtains in the afternoon.
Many people close their curtains in the winter which has been shown to cause depression because you get less light but it also keeps your house colder in winter months. Utilize the sunlight by opening your curtains so sunlight can naturally heat your home. Be sure to close your curtains when the sun goes down so you do not lose that heat and reduce chilling from cold window glass.
See More Ways to Reduce Drafts From Windows Go to Window Weatherization Tips to See More
Many people close their curtains in the winter which has been shown to cause depression because you get less light but it also keeps your house colder in winter months. Utilize the sunlight by opening your curtains so sunlight can naturally heat your home. Be sure to close your curtains when the sun goes down so you do not lose that heat and reduce chilling from cold window glass.
See More Ways to Reduce Drafts From Windows Go to Window Weatherization Tips to See More
Seal Off Air Leaks Around Doors & Windows
Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal off leaks around windows and doors. Doorway coverings are another great way to keep drafts out.
Use A InsulateD Thermal Curtain for Entrance Doors
Maintain Your Heating or Cooling Systems
Properly maintaining and cleaning your heating and cooling systems can reduce energy costs and improve performance. Schedule services to do it or do it yourself. Replace filters monthly.
Reduce Heat Loss From Your Fireplace
Keep your fireplace damper closed unless you have a fire going. Reduce heat loss by opening firebox dampers (if you have them) or crack a nearby window about 1 inch and close all doors leading into the room. If you have a fireplace but never use it, plug and seal the chimney flue. Use tempered glass doors and a heat and air exchange system to blow heated air back into the room. Regularly check the seal on the flue damper to make sure it is snug. Caulk around fireplace hearth.
Lower Water Heating Costs
Set the temperature of your water heater to 120°F to save energy and reduce the chances of scalding. Use a water heater insulating blanket to help your water heater maintain the temperature.
Great Buys on Insulation Kits!
Store Water Hoses
Store your water hose in an area that is covered and away from the North wind (indoors in a garage or shed is best). If you have no place to store your garden hose. Make sure that the nozzle is removed each time you use it. Least expensive way is to purchase a hose heater or a more expensive way is to buy a heated hose.
Wrap Exposed Water Faucets and Line's to Prevent Freezing
Wrap any exposed water spigots, faucets, or lines outside your home to prevent freezing. It is a good idea to wrap your water lines inside your house located under your kitchen and bathroom sinks for an added layer of protection (U.S. Dept. of Energy, 2016).
Featured Video: 11 Ways to Winterize Your Home
See More Great Weatherization Tips for Your Home
Great ways to weatherize your home. Easy ways to winterize your home, window treatments and coverings, insulation tips, plus great deals on insulation kits! Go to Weatherization Tips for Your Home
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References: Fall and winter energy tips Retrieved on Nov. 6, 2016 from Energy Saver. U. S. Dept. of Energy. http://www.energy.gov/energysaver/fall-and-winter-energy-saving-tips
Video: Edge Homes (Nov.24, 2015). 11 Ways to winterize your home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydx3IviO5BY
Video: Edge Homes (Nov.24, 2015). 11 Ways to winterize your home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydx3IviO5BY