Winterizing your home is all about maximizing your energy efficiency and cutting heating costs. But if you don’t have it in your budget to replace all of your windows, doors and insulation, here are a few things you can do for very little money:
Seal the Leaks
If you do nothing else, you must stop the cold air from coming in and the warm air from leaving. You can do this by upgrading the caulk around your windows and filling any gaps you have in siding or doors. Window foam is also inexpensive and will expand to fill gaps. Sealing gaps can save you as much as 30% in your annual heating and cooling bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Don’t forget those doors. Replace any ill-fitting gaskets around your exterior doors. Roll up a towel or use a draft blocker/snake at the interior base of exterior doors to minimize drafts.
Make the Best of Old Windows
Many homes here in Florida have old, drafty windows resulting in ridiculously high energy bills for the home’s occupants. If window replacement is not an option, try one of the window wrapping kits or make due with what you have by taping bubblewrap to your windows. Yes, it looks a little weird, but it lets the light in and can be taken down and reinstalled when we have one of those freak warm spells in the middle of winter. Most of the plastic DIY kits are one use only and cannot be used again once the seal is broken.
Change your Furnace/AC Filter
A clogged filter places additional stress on your system and causes it to work harder and be less efficient. This inefficiency will be felt in your wallet. It can also lead to a shorter life on your unit.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Warming the air when you’re home is ideal but why pay to keep it at a toasty 72 degrees when you are gone for long periods of time? You can save 3% on your heating bill if you turn your thermostat down even one degree. Imagine your savings if you program your system to drop 5 degrees at night after everyone is asleep or 10 degrees when no one is home.
Clean out the Lint
Removing the lint from the outside dryer vent and making sure the flap closes completely when the unit isn’t running will help minimize drafts. If air can’t escape when the system is running, it will cause the system to run longer, digging into your pocketbook.
Get your Furnace Checked
The best way to know if your system is running efficiently is to call in an expert. A quick check of your furnace goes a long way to catching problems early and extending the life of your equipment. Efficient functioning means lower heating bills and a more comfortable home.
If you’d like to ensure your heater is in good operating order and running efficiently, don’t wait for drastically cold temperatures, contact the A/C repair and heating professionals at Easy A/C today.