Energy Efficiency Tips and Fall Home Projects

As cold temperatures approach, you may want to stay indoors and sit by the fireplace.  You may not realize it, but it can be easy to hike up energy costs in your home during the fall and winter season.

Now is the best time to start inspecting and preparing your home for the winter climate.  Get a head start and use these energy efficiency tips to check up on your home, so you can save on energy costs!

• Prevent heat loss through outlets and lighting
• You can lose heat through electrical outlets, light switches, and lighting fixtures.  Consider installing foam gaskets or plastic security caps behind these outlets and switches to reduce heat loss.
• Clean the Chimney
• Be sure that all of your systems are working efficiently.  It is recommended that homeowners get an annual chimney inspection and cleaning.  Pipes should be properly connected and inspected for any signs of rust and/or damage.
• Is your home's insulation up to par?
• Attic insulation can lower heating and cooling costs by as much as $600 per year.  A quick way to check if you need insulation is to inspect the attic floor.  If the existing insulation comes up to just the tops of the joists, then you probably need to add insulation.  For a minimal cost, you can upgrade the insulation in your walls, crawlspaces, basements, and attics.
• Upgrade to energy-efficient windows
• If you have single-pane windows, add storm windows to cut heat loss by up to 50%.  Also check to make sure your caulk is in good repair.  Check your windows and doors for damaged weather striping.
• Insulate the water heater
• Similar to insulating your walls, insulating the water heater is an easy and inexpensive way to improve your home's energy efficiency each month.  If the surface is hot or even warm, some of the energy used to heat the water heater will then heat the house.

Fall Home Projects:

• Clean and reverse fans
• Your ceiling fans have been hard at work all summer.  They have gathered more dust than you realize.  Turn your fans off, and clean the sides, tops and bottoms of the blades.  Reverse your fans so the blades send air upward to disrupt the warm air that collects near the ceiling and disperse it downward.  This is particularly effective in rooms with high or vaulted ceilings.
• Clean window treatments
• Use a cordless hand-held vacuum to remove dust from hanging window treatments.  If you have hanging curtains, take them down for a gentle launder or tumble in the dryer-on air only.  While they're down, clean your windows and sills thoroughly.
• Vacuum and clean furniture
• Vacuum your upholstered furniture, and spot clean the big stains as needed.  Always test an inconspicuous area of your furniture before applying any cleaning agent to a main area.