Last week was the official start of fall, meaning that cold, rain and even snow are just around the corner. Today I bring you ideas on how to make small –and affordable- improvements at home that will lower your energy bills (something good not just for your pocket but for the planet, too) and prevent typical problems that come with this kind of weather.
Savings start at the door
Many doors have a considerable gap under them, where cold comes in during winter. To find out if your door has it, take off your socks and stand in front of the closed door: do you feel a draft on your feet? If you do, the colder it gets this year, the more cold will be coming in there.
You can make a long cloth tube and fill it with rice or sand; laying it behind your closed door (inside the house) will stop your heat losses. You can also buy door wind stoppers starting at around $10. It’s something that will last you a lifetime so going a bit out to get a good one when making it or buying it will only help you save over time.
Windows
There are three ways to lose heat via windows. The first issue comes with aging windows,
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| Window caulking is an easy DIY that can save you loads. |
What if your windows still lose heat because they are not very well made, or old? Then try window insulating film, very low cost and easy to use. This film creates a bubble of air between the window and your home, sealing part of the cold out. This project would take you about 30 minutes per window (and you’ll get faster after the first one), and you can buy the film at any hardware or home improvement store. For $5 you will cover 3 windows.
And last: do you have a window air conditioner unit? Leaving it on the window during the cold season is a surefire way to lose a LOT of heat unnecessarily; plus, leaving it out means the cold and humidity will be damaging it over time. It’s best to take it off the window and put it away.
BasementThere are many things that can be done in the basement to lower energy bills. As I
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| Windows with insulating film. |
If you know that your basement is cold in winter, and your water heater is there… do the math. The cold air is cooling off your water heater, as well as the pipes carrying hot water, so your heater will have to spend more energy to heat.
There are pipe insulating tubes (they cost a couple of dollars for every 6 ft. /2 meters) and also insulating covers for water heaters for every size of heater, with prices ranging between $10 and $20 based on size.
Speaking of water heaters: check the hot water temperature setting. Many of us will just leave it on its default setting, which is 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 Celsius) when the normal setting should be 120 Fahrenheit (or 48 C). By lowering that setting you can save between 6% and 10% on your yearly energy bill.
Do you have hot air heating? If so, remember to check the heater filter every year and if it’s broken, dirty or very old, change it out. A clean filter allows the heater to work better, lowering its energy consumption.
Around the house
If you have any ceiling fans, keep in mind that the direction in which they spin can almost
always be changed and, during the cold season the blades should turn clockwise, which brings the warm air that rises back down into the room the fan’s in.
Another great way to save is remembering to lower the temperature on the thermostat at night and when out of the house for more than an hour. It can be lowered to 50-55 degrees F (between 10 and 15 Celsius). You’ll sleep better and according to the Department of Energy, doing this will save you around 10% on energy costs a year.
If you aren’t good at remembering this kind of thing, you can always invest in a programmable thermostat, set it up once and be done for the season. They cost between $20 and $30.
Outside
To finish, I want to bring up a couple of preventive measures that can save you many
problems and expenses.
It’s good to clean the rain gutters after all the leaves have fallen from the trees. This will allow the rain, ice, and snow to go out more easily. Stopping ice and snow buildup helps prevent cracks on your roof, and this lowers the risk for leaks considerably.
And finally, every autumn it’s wise to check out all the trees in your property to cut away any branches that might cause damages during snow, wind, or ice storms.
And that’s it. Soon I will publish a similar guide for those members and readers who live in the Southern hemisphere, who can save energy during the summer months. Talk to you soon!
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| Pipe insulation is cheap and very easy to install. |
Another great way to save is remembering to lower the temperature on the thermostat at night and when out of the house for more than an hour. It can be lowered to 50-55 degrees F (between 10 and 15 Celsius). You’ll sleep better and according to the Department of Energy, doing this will save you around 10% on energy costs a year.
If you aren’t good at remembering this kind of thing, you can always invest in a programmable thermostat, set it up once and be done for the season. They cost between $20 and $30.
Outside
To finish, I want to bring up a couple of preventive measures that can save you many
 |
| Trouble waiting to happen, |
It’s good to clean the rain gutters after all the leaves have fallen from the trees. This will allow the rain, ice, and snow to go out more easily. Stopping ice and snow buildup helps prevent cracks on your roof, and this lowers the risk for leaks considerably.
And finally, every autumn it’s wise to check out all the trees in your property to cut away any branches that might cause damages during snow, wind, or ice storms.
And that’s it. Soon I will publish a similar guide for those members and readers who live in the Southern hemisphere, who can save energy during the summer months. Talk to you soon!
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