Is Mother Nature setting up to take revenge on New England this winter? According to Farmers’ Almanac, the northeast area may have a cold and snowy winter, with a “chill, snow, repeat” cycle. If the first part of our winter season is any indicator, they may be right!
So, in addition to getting your snow blowers ready, purchasing shovels and salt and lining up your chiropractor for weekly adjustments due to all the back pain you will experience from removing snow, there are also some things you need to do to get your house or office winter ready. Below are some tips that will help keep you warm all winter long while saving money on your energy bill.
It is also the holiday season and many of us enjoy decorating our homes or businesses with lights and other decorations. However, as beautiful as the displays are, safety should always be the first thought when decorating. We’ve shared some tips on keeping your decorations shining bright all season.
Don’t be Throwing Money Out the Window!
- Check for air leaks around doors, windows, wires going into your home or office building, and along the foundation; these can be plugged with caulking. Install weather-stripping on thresholds to seal gaps. Doing these inexpensive things can save up to 10% on your energy bill.
- Install insulated window treatments if you can’t afford to install more energy efficient windows. Pull shades closed at night and open during the day; be sure to let in the sun to help warm your space naturally.
- Check Filters on heating and cooling equipment. Using old dirty filters restricts air flow causing your system to work harder. Also, schedule a “tune up”. Keeping your furnace running well can save up to 5% of your heating costs. It is suggested a family of 4 with pets should change a filter every 60 days.
- Install a programmable thermostat, or even better, multiple ones in multiple zones. Be sure to install them away from heating and cooling units, drafts, windows, direct sunlight, or bright lights. When you are not going to be in a room for some time, lower the heat setting to 68 degrees. For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-70 degree range, you save up to 5% on heating costs! When leaving for extended periods of time you can even set back to 55 degrees, which can save as much as 20% on heating costs!
- Insulate wherever you can. Check your attic, basement, crawl spaces, pipes and ducting. You may need to upgrade the level of insulation or replace old insulation.
- Cover up unused vents and remove window AC units.
- Consider replacing older furnaces with newer Energy Star equipment. Keep in mind that the higher the EF number (Energy Factor) the more efficient the equipment. The purchase price might be higher than other less energy efficient equipment but over time you will get your money back and more.
- Don’t block heating vents with curtains or furniture. Keep them clean by vacuuming the vents regularly.
- Fireplaces look nice but in homes they are typically an energy loser. When not in use, be sure to close the damper. If you decide not to use your fireplace permanently, you might also close and seal the damper with a piece of rigid insulation.