Fall is almost here, and it’s time to prepare for colder temperatures and everything else that goes with the change of seasons. As the thermometer plunges, it becomes more important than ever to make sure that your house is ready for the challenges of autumn and the winter that follows. By taking the time to safeguard your house, you can face the upcoming seasonal weather with a home ready to withstand the cold, save energy and lower your heating bill in the process.
Batten Down the Hatches
Before the cold sets in, check your house and fix any problem areas that could let the heat out or let the cold in. This involves checking any area where the inside opens up to the outside. There are some places to check.
Look for Leaks
Windows, doors, and even electrical outlets present possibilities for air transfer. These are all places where the smallest hole can lead to a loss of warmth in your home. By replacing old, worn weatherstripping, or by adding a few beads of caulk in the right places, you can go a long way to keeping your house the right temperature for less money.
Install or Upgrade Storm Windows.
If your house loses heat, windows are usually the main culprit. Add storm windows or upgrade your existing ones to provide an extra layer of protection that helps trap precious heat inside your home.
Remember Your Chimney
Chimneys are just a big hole in your roof that lets hot air escape. Closing the flue when not in use is a good habit, but it won’t provide complete protection from the cold. Think about installing a chimney balloon. These contraptions are inflatable and reusable, and they deflate quickly when you want a cozy fire in your fireplace.
Inspect Your Insulation
Holes in your insulation can lead to big energy losses. Spend a little bit of time and money now to find and fix those gaps with new insulation that pays for itself down the road. While you’re at it, put insulation on your attic door if you haven’t already.
Examine Your Ductwork
Leaks in your ductwork can lead to a surprising amount of heat escaping into your attic where it doesn’t do you any good. Patch those holes to ensure that the ducts are able to deliver their payload of warm air to where it’s needed most.
Clear Your Vents
It seems obvious, but it happens all the time: no amount of heat can warm up your house if the vent is blocked by carpeting or furniture. Make sure all of your vents are unobstructed to guarantee maximum delivery of warm air to every corner of your home.
Upgrade Your Home
Finding and fixing existing problems is a good start to making your home ready for fall and winter, but it’s only half of the battle. While you work to make your house more weatherproof, you also need to consider adding more energy-efficient systems to your home to help keep your home comfortable while lowering your utility bill.
Consider a New Thermostat
Programmable thermostats have long been recognized as ways to bring huge savings to your home. By setting your thermostat to keep the temperature lower when you’re at work or in bed, you decrease your heating bill by a significant amount. If you don’t want to spend the money on a new thermostat, make sure to get your existing one checked to make sure it works properly.
Buy a Portable Heater
If you limit your activities to a single room or wing of your house, a portable heater might work just as well without using the energy of your whole-house system. Keep the portable heater near you, and feel free to turn down the thermostat to the rest of the house by five, or even 10, degrees. Your wallet will thank you.
Replace or Service Your Old Heater
If not tuned up properly, your heater can be a drain on your wallet when it works twice as hard to heat your home. Make sure to get it serviced before the cold weather arrives. If you’ve had your heating system for a while, consider getting a new one. Newer heaters work much less to deliver the same amount of heat, so they are well worth the investment.
Schedule an Energy Audit
If this sounds like a lot of information, it is. That’s why it’s a good idea to have experts come out to assess your home and perform an energy audit. The trained professionals at E3 Power can inspect your home to look for gaps, leaks and holes over your entire house. We’ll also check your heating system to make sure it’s in prime working order. By taking advantage of the services, you can make sure your home is ready to face whatever the fall and winter can throw at you. Schedule an audit, and see what services we offer.
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