Rising energy costs are a fact
of life these days, and many people are feeling the pinch.
What can you do to help minimize the amount of energy your
home consumes and lighten the load financially?
 Purchase a programmable thermostat. The initial
investment you make in this piece of technology will pay off
big time. You can set this type of thermostat to adjust the
temperature at different times of day, so you won't waste
energy during the hours family members are away from home.
 Weatherproof windows and doors. Spring metal,
vinyl, felt, and self-adhesive foam are the materials
typically used for weatherproofing. In an older home,
consider replacing dilapidated windows with new ones that
are designed to resist heat loss and gain. Doors can also be
weather-stripped and sealed at little cost, and rubber or
metal sweeps and threshold locks are a great solution to
cover bottom-area gaps that are a particular problem with
doors.
 Garage doors. This part of the house is often
overlooked when it comes to weatherproofing. But garage
doors made of flimsy metal or warped wood are notorious for
losing heat, especially when there is a lot of wind.
Consider purchasing heavier garage doors constructed of
well-insulated wood or fiberglass.
 Insulation. Lack of adequate insulation can send
energy prices soaring. Have a professional install blown-in
insulation and insulate basement walls and crawl spaces to
cut up to 30% off your energy bill. It's also important to
insulate interior spaces, such as pipes, heating and
ventilation ducts, and electrical outlets.
 Basic upkeep. Change furnace filters every few
months and have your chimney swept annually. Another way to
make your fireplace more efficient is to choose a natural
gas fireplace in lieu of wood-burning models.
 Beat the summer heat. Keep your filters clean and
A/C in good working condition are the top choices if you
want to keep your house cool. Also, whole house fans and
attic fans are a good solution, as well as planting shade
trees around your property to keep the sun's rays at bay.
 Saving money on your energy bill doesn't have to
be complicated, as long as you follow these simple rules for
running your home like a well-oiled machine. |
