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 LINDA'S
DECEMBER TIPS
I came across these great fall reminders at www.Homefront.com
and their webmaster graciously agreed to allow me to share
them with our readers:
Energy Saving Tips for this Winter
Decreasing energy loss through windows can help a homeowner
save money on utility bills, according to Paul Winans, president
of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry [NARI]
“Air leaks in and around the window frame,”
he said, “cooling the home. At the same time, heat is
leaking out.” To minimize these leaks, and maximize
energy efficiency, Winans and other NARI professionals recommend:
- Decrease drafts in the home. A homeowner
can easily test his or her home for air leaks by holding
a lit candle next to closed exterior doors and windows,
and places where plumbing or electrical wiring penetrates
through exterior walls, floors or ceilings. If the flame
flickers or goes out, an air leak is present that could
need caulking, sealing, or weather stripping. Gaps around
plumbing that connect to the house from the outside can
easily be sealed with expanding foam, which comes in convenient
aerosol cans.
- Install storm windows. Windows can add
character and light to the home but they also can leak a
lot of heat. Storm windows can be installed over single-pane
windows, or if a homeowner is considering a window replacement,
specially coated double-pane windows designed to reflect
heat back into the room could be considered. If a window
replacement job is not in the budget, there are other options,
such as closing curtains and shades at night to reduce chilly
drafts, and opening them during the day to take advantage
of the sun’s heating power. For an economical measure,
homeowners can also tape clear plastic sheeting to the inside
of the window frame to seal off drafts.
- Clean or replace the air filter. Doing
this once a month will maximize the efficiency of the heating
system. In addition, cleaning out ducts, warm-air registers,
baseboard heaters, and radiators will also maximize the
system’s efficiency. Homeowners can install a programmable
thermostat to change the set point when the house is unoccupied
or during the night.
- Seal and insulate ducts. Ducts running
through attics, crawl spaces, and garages are often not
properly sealed and insulated, which wastes heated air before
it even reaches the register. Duct joints in those areas
should be sealed, and for added heat retention, the ducts
can be insulated. All ducts in the home should be checked
for separation, holes and air leaks. If a homeowner is considering
investing in a new duct system, systems that come with insulation
are available and should be considered.
- Seal up the fireplace. Nothing is cozier
than curling up next to a roaring fire on a blustery winter
day, but homeowners might not realize that a fireplace can
send energy dollars up the chimney along with heated air
from the home. Keeping fireplace dampers closed when the
fireplace is not in use will prevent the loss of warm air
up the chimney all year long. Installing snugly fitting
glass doors and closing them can reduce heat loss while
the fire burns itself out overnight. The doors also protect
the home from flying embers, reducing fire risk.
- Consider solar heating. Solar design
techniques can be considered during a remodeling job to
maximize solar effects on energy efficiency. Passive solar
heating techniques, (the non-use of a special solar heating
system) include placing larger, insulated windows on south-facing
walls and placing thermal mass, such as a concrete slab
floor or a heat-absorbing wall, close to the windows. Passive
solar heating requires careful design orientation, so if
a homeowner is considering it, he or she should consult
an architect or design/build firm familiar with the technique.
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