Nothing can put your budget on ice quicker than a cold snap. Energy costs are rising across the board, and defending every dollar we spend on heat has never been more important. Forecasters say that the dry summer portends a severe winter, so as the temperatures start to dip, let's explore ten frugal ways to winterize your home. (See also: 5 Steps to a DIY Home Energy Audit, via Currency)
1. Seal Leaks
It's time to plug, seal, and caulk. Caulk both the inside and outside of your windows. Outside, focus on the sealing around all the edges of the sills with a water-resistant product. Inside, use a temporary silicone caulk around all moving parts of the window. In the spring, when it's time to open everything up, the silicone will break loose easily and not damage paint or varnish.
2. Bring Out Storm Windows
If you have an older home with single-pane windows, it's time to take off the screens and put on the storm windows. Though this can be a huge chore, and often storm windows don't fit that snugly, they do offer another layer of physical protection against the cold.
3. Insulate
Though more expensive than the other strategies, insulation gives you a big bang for your winterizing buck. Keep it simple and don't get lost in complex R-value calculations. Just remember this simple rule of thumb €" you should have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic.
4. Replace Air Filters
Replace the air filter in your central heating and cooling system. Use a handheld vacuum while the filter is out to get rid of dust and cobwebs that may have accumulated in or around the filter slot. A clean air filter will not only reduce dust inside, it'll reduce the amount of energy it takes for your heater to work and extend its life.
5. Duct and Cover
The ductwork in our homes carries the heat from room to room. Ductwork that's not well-insulated, disconnected, or dirty impedes air flow and makes your heating system work harder. Check ducts in the attic and basement, vacuum them out, and seal loose connections with a metal-backed tape.
6. Protect the Pipes
Like the ductwork in your home, any pipes that carry water need to be insulated from below-freezing temperatures. If you have a crawl space under your home or a basement that's not insulated, wrap your pipes with fiberglass insulation or use pre-molded foam rubber sleeves that you can pick up at most home improvement stores.
At Silver State Refrigeration we strive to provide you with the best possible heating service that doesn't break your wallet! So before the winter is in full effect, call us today for all your heating installation and maintenance repairs!
1. Seal Leaks
It's time to plug, seal, and caulk. Caulk both the inside and outside of your windows. Outside, focus on the sealing around all the edges of the sills with a water-resistant product. Inside, use a temporary silicone caulk around all moving parts of the window. In the spring, when it's time to open everything up, the silicone will break loose easily and not damage paint or varnish.
2. Bring Out Storm Windows
If you have an older home with single-pane windows, it's time to take off the screens and put on the storm windows. Though this can be a huge chore, and often storm windows don't fit that snugly, they do offer another layer of physical protection against the cold.
3. Insulate
Though more expensive than the other strategies, insulation gives you a big bang for your winterizing buck. Keep it simple and don't get lost in complex R-value calculations. Just remember this simple rule of thumb €" you should have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic.
4. Replace Air Filters
Replace the air filter in your central heating and cooling system. Use a handheld vacuum while the filter is out to get rid of dust and cobwebs that may have accumulated in or around the filter slot. A clean air filter will not only reduce dust inside, it'll reduce the amount of energy it takes for your heater to work and extend its life.
5. Duct and Cover
The ductwork in our homes carries the heat from room to room. Ductwork that's not well-insulated, disconnected, or dirty impedes air flow and makes your heating system work harder. Check ducts in the attic and basement, vacuum them out, and seal loose connections with a metal-backed tape.
6. Protect the Pipes
Like the ductwork in your home, any pipes that carry water need to be insulated from below-freezing temperatures. If you have a crawl space under your home or a basement that's not insulated, wrap your pipes with fiberglass insulation or use pre-molded foam rubber sleeves that you can pick up at most home improvement stores.
At Silver State Refrigeration we strive to provide you with the best possible heating service that doesn't break your wallet! So before the winter is in full effect, call us today for all your heating installation and maintenance repairs!
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