How well
is your home resisting the cold this winter? A close look at your
heating and electrical bills this month will probably give you a good
idea.
You can
cut those rising energy bills by as much as 20 per cent simply by
taking some easy, inexpensive, do-it-yourself measures. There are
low-cost ways to save energy in every room in your home.
Begin
by thoroughly checking every room in your home, paying particular
attention to possible air leaks. These can account for 20 to 30 per
cent of your home’s heat loss. Reducing air leakage is by far
the most immediate improvement you can make to reduce energy consumption.
Next,
make a list of the jobs that can be done to save energy in every room
of your home. In the front hall or entry, for example, you may want
to seal the mail slot, weatherstrip the door and install a programmable
thermostat. The bedrooms will be less drafty if you weatherstrip the
windows and winterize, if necessary, the existing windows. Kitchen
lighting can waste a lot of energy -- try changing to fluorescent
lighting. In the basement, be sure to change the furnace filter regularly.
Here
are some low-cost, easy ways to bundle up your home this winter.
Seal
out drafts
Weatherstrip windows and exterior doors. Most weatherstripping products
last only a few years. Check windows, door frames and baseboards for
escaping heat by holding a lit match by any gaps. If the flame moves
or blows out, you have a draft problem.
Windows
The best seal should be on the inside, so moisture will not enter
and stay in the wall.
Use silicone caulking, but be sure to check the directions on the
label to ensure you are getting the right type for the job. When all
surfaces are smooth and clean, run a continuous bead of caulking (you
may want to use a caulking gun) where the window trim meets the wall.
Then run another continuous bead between the trim and the window frame
and where the trim meets the window sill.
If you
don’t have thermo windows or storms, you can apply a temporary
thin plastic film over the windows with a hair blower (kits can be
purchased at building supply stores) to help stop drafts and prevent
frost from building up over the winter. However, this should be done
only as a temporary measure until windows can be replaced.
Doors
Exterior doors take a lot of punishment. If the door is badly warped,
consider replacing it with a modern, energy-efficient one. Any weatherstripping
used must be sturdy, yet flexible, to take the slamming and temperature
changes.
Begin
by checking the door itself and repairing any problems — loose
structural joints, loose caulking, etc. Look for weatherstripping
with instructions. If your are removing worn or damaged weatherstripping,
try to obtain a similar replacement set.
Don’t
forget the sill under the door to keep out drafts, driving rain or
melting snow. If the door has one, but it looks worn out, remove it
and replace it with a completely new seal. Choose a sturdy design
that can stand up to daily abuse and that takes replacement gaskets.
Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat can cut your heating bills with every Celsius
degree you lower the setting. To ensure your water pipes don’t
freeze and burst, however, don’t turn your thermostat below
14C
Programmable thermostat units come in a range of prices and are available
from hardware, building and heating equipment supply stores. Choose
a model that is compatible with your particular heating/cooling system.
You can have one professionally installed during your regular annual
heating system check-up, or install it yourself. If you install the
unit yourself, be sure to disconnect the electric power to the heating
system first. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Check the chimney
A lot of household heat escapes right up your fireplace chimney, even
when not in use. Check the flue damper to see it fits snugly and is
closed when not in use. To better control air flow, consider installing
tight-fitting glass doors.
Pad
your pipes
You can avoid burst pipes by wrapping foam tubing around them and
taping it in place. Most tubing comes pre-slit for easy installation.
Water pipe heat cables can also be purchased which can keep water
flowing at temperatures as low as -40C.
Protect exterior AC units
Use an appropriate cover or winterized plastic to protect your outdoor
air conditioning or window fan unit, stop drafts and heat loss.
Check all exterior entry points
Use expandable polyurethane foam or other approved insulation products
to cover the area around dryer vents, television cable jacks and other
utility service entry points. But be careful not to overuse these
products — a little goes a long way.
Seal your attic
Since hot air rises, most heat loss occurs through your roof. Even
if your attic is well-insulated, it may not necessarily be well-sealed.
Insulation is designed to slow down heat loss rather than stop air
flow. Begin by sealing and/or caulking the gaps that lead from your
living areas to your attic. These gaps serve as escape routes for
heated air.
Turn on ceiling fans
Set ceiling fans on low speeds to circulate the air and push the warm
air at the ceiling down.
Don’t over bundle
When sealing your home, it’s possible to go too far. Making
your home too airtight can increase humidity and cause “window
sweating” — heavy condensation that forms on the inside
of double-pane and single-pane windows. This can encourage the growth
of mold and mildew, which can deteriorate your home’s structure.
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