With winter just around the corner, you need to make sure that your home is operating at its peak energy efficiency. Other than saving money on electricity, these tips will make sure that your home is warm and comfortable during the chilly months of winter. From sealing off air leaks to fixing your insulation, you can ensure that your home is ready to handle cold weather.
Seal Off Your Fireplace
In general, a fireplace is not the most efficient way to heat a home. Unless you plan on using it, you should seal off the flue area and the fireplace to keep cold air out. If you have a natural gas fireplace, you should make sure that the pilot light is turned off when it is not being used.
Heat Only the Rooms You Use
Especially for larger homes, there are many rooms that are not in use at all times. Guest rooms, formal living rooms and storage areas may not be used regularly by the family. To save money on heating costs, you should seal off and close the vents in these rooms. If you are only using one or two rooms, you may want to turn off your heating entirely and use a space heater in the smaller areas.
Seal Air Leaks and Ducts
The main way to keep your home warm is to make sure that cold air does not leak through the ducts or walls. Light fixtures, ducts, entrances, pipes, cabinets and attic stair openings are all areas that allow cold air to sneak into your home. You can use weather stripping and insulation to seal these areas and keep warm air inside. Additionally, you should check your windows and doors to make sure that there are not any air leaks present. If there are, you may need to use caulking. For duct leaks, a duct sealer like silicon caulking will help to improve your energy efficiency.
Lower the Temperature at Night
During the night, you will be covered in quilts and comforters to stay warm. This provides an excellent chance for you to lower the air temperature in your home and save money. When you go to bed, you can set the thermostat for 10 to 15 degrees cooler. You will not notice the difference when you are snuggled up in bed, and this technique can save you up to 10 percent annually on energy costs.
Professional Help
It is also important to make sure that your home is completely insulated to keep the warm air inside. For more information about insulation, contact USI online to get a free quote. USI believes that excellence in every step of the process and ensures timely completion and quality of service, time after time.
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