Weatherization

Did you know you could save on utility expenses this winter by weatherizing your home? Here are cost-effective tips when preparing to transition into the cooler months.

1. Check your windows. Do you feel a draft? Seal around the windows with caulk, ensure the windows are locked tight, cover your windows on the inside with a casing or utilize weather-stripping to seal your draft.
2. Check your doors. Do the insides of your doors feel cold? Place a layer of insulation on the back of your doors, put a door sweep or case the doors not used to reduce the cold air from entering your home. Don’t forget about checking the air flow around your garage door as well!
3. Exterior Wall Outlets should be replaced. Did you know that 2-5% of air filtration comes through the exterior wall outlets? Change your wall outlets to foam insulated gaskets to reduce the filtration.
4. Cover your water heater tank with a blanket. Reduce the heat loss (usually around 25%) by placing a heater blanket around your tank. Affordable blankets can reduce the heater cost by 4% or more. Went tankless? Find some pipe insulation foam to help insulate your pipes from heat loss.
5. Clean your vent covers. Check all your vent covers and clean as many dust bunnies as you can from the immediate vent area. Change your air filter too!
6. Check your attic door for insulation. Similar to your front door, make sure the doors to your attic are sealed and are not allowing for air filtration.

While in-person energy assessments look different in 2020, we hope these DIY tips can assist in reducing your energy bills this winter. In addition to these helpful weatherization tips, have you considered using the natural heat from the SUN to help warm your house during cooler months? Pull back those shades and open up the blinds to allow some natural light in!