Winterize Your Home and Save Some Green

The cool and crisp days are upon us and as you prepare to turn up the heat, winterize your home.  Did you know theaverage family spends $1,400 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of that spent on heating and cooling? Energy-efficient heating and cooling equipment sized and installed correctly, with properly sealed ducts, can save homeowners as much as 20 percent on their annual energy costs.  Kim Carlson, eco-expert and founder of EarthSmart Consumer Certified, is giving the top five ways home-owners and apartment dwellers can get their dwelling winter-ready without breaking the bank. 

·        Change Furnace Filters:  Before cranking up the heat be sure to replace or clean furnace filters as dirty ones can restrict airflow and increase energy use.  It’s very important to replace them once month when in use.  Next time you go to change it or go to the hardware sortie, consider purchasing an electronic filter.  These filters are much better at controlling the bacteria, mold, viruses and pollen that causes illness and irritation.  Another good choice is a genuine HEPA filter (like the one pictured), which can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles. HEPA filters are based on Department of Energy standards. But avoid “HEPA-like” filters, which can be vastly less effective.

·        Run Fans in Reverse: Switching your ceiling fan to clockwise pulls warmer air trapped at the top down to the living space.  Many ceiling units come with a handy switch that reverses the direction of the blades.  This can cut your heating costs as much as 10 percent.

·        Install storm doors and windows: Installing storm doors can increase energy efficiency by 45 percent as it seals off drafts and reduces air flow. Equally as important is to install storm windows as they make a huge difference as well.  If you have old storm combination windows, further seal up air leaks by installing film between the storm and window to give your home an extra layer of protection against the cold. 

·        Energy Audit: Have your electricity provider complete an inexpensive energy audit on you home.  They will give you recommendations that will help you save money, energy and keep the winter drafts out. 

·        Caulking and weather-stripping:  Along the same lines of installing storm doors and windows be sure to seal off gaps that can sap home energy efficiency by 5 to 30% a year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Some key places to eye are corners, around chimneys, where pipes or wires exit and along the foundation.

·        Safety & Preparation:   The windows will be closed so it’s a good time to test and replace non-working carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries in your smoke alarms.  Along the same lines, be sure to monitor your humidity levels with a hygrometer that you can buy inexpensively at any hardware store.  When you are using a humidifier, keep humidity levels between 20- 50% to protect your indoor air quality.

It’s important to start preparing your home now before winter fully sets in.  Practicing and conducting theses routine habits, will ensure you save on energy and prevent serious or worst damage in the future.  For more information on Kim Carlson, please visit www.earthsmartconumer.com.