Some people just accept winter with all its doldrums, the blues and higher electric bills! They never give the idea of “green” winterizing their homes a second thought. If you take time to incorporate some quick green tips to winterize a home though, you will be conserving energy as well as saving money on your home heating bill.
Beat the Draft
Energy is wasted when there are drafts in homes. There are simple, economic measures that can be taken to ensure that you are utilizing simple green tips to winterize your home. The most basic is to beat the draft.
Weather stripping is not just for the frame of doors. Put your hand at the bottom of the doors to your home or apartment. Feel the draft? That is money and energy going out with the wind. Simple peel-off strips are available to attach to the bottom of your door to keep the cold air out and give you a lower heating bill.
You may think of applying plastic over windows, but there are hidden energy wasters in your home. Place your hand under the bottom of the windowsill. In older homes, especially, there can be a significant draft. Either apply foam or tape in the space to beat the draft.
The next draft guzzler is your electrical outlets. Unplug everything in your outlets, one-by-one. Place your hand near, but not directly on, the outlet. Feel that cold air? That is more of your money and energy going to waste. There are very inexpensive covers made for outlets to help seal them from the winter cold, which take seconds to install. Be sure to follow instructions and this simple green tip to winterize your home will cut down on your heating costs.
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Before taking measures to beat the draft, make sure you only use measures that are safe, as improper usage of some materials can lead to fire.
Vents and Filters
Clean furnace filters are essential for maintaining a healthy and safe home. Using filters specifically treated to combat allergens can significantly improve your home’s air quality by trapping dust, pollen, and other irritants. A clean filter also allows your heating system to run more efficiently, which not only saves you money on energy bills but also reduces the strain on the system, potentially preventing a fire hazard from an overworked unit.
Similarly, don’t overlook your dryer’s vent and filter. It’s imperative to clean the lint filter after every single use, as lint buildup can obstruct airflow and make your dryer work harder. More importantly, a clogged dryer vent is a serious fire risk. The trapped dirt, debris, and lint are highly flammable. Ensure the vent itself, which leads outside, is also cleaned regularly to prevent these hazardous blockages.
That Cold, Dark, Damp Space
Your basement can be a major source of energy loss during the winter, leading to unnecessarily high heating bills. Unless you take steps to effectively winterize this space, you could be losing a significant amount of heat.
If your water heater is located in a cold basement, it’s constantly working to keep the water inside it hot. You can significantly improve its efficiency by wrapping it in a special insulation “blanket,” which is readily available at most local home improvement stores. This simple addition is well worth the cost, as it helps the water heater retain heat more effectively. This means it won’t have to turn on as often, resulting in lower energy consumption and a more efficient appliance.
Drafts are another common problem in basements. When you’re sealing the other windows in your home for winter, don’t forget the basement. Carefully inspect them for any gaps or cracks that could let cold air in. It’s also important to find the source of other drafts, which often occur around the sill plate (where the foundation meets the wooden frame of the house) or where pipes and vents enter. Use caulk, spray foam, or weatherstripping to plug these gaps, effectively keeping the cold air out and the warm air in.
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Out in the Bitter Cold
It’s just as important to spend time and effort green winterizing the outside of your home as it is to prepare the inside. Start by taking a walk around your property to perform a thorough inspection. Carefully check for any cracks in wood surfaces, such as window frames or siding, and examine the integrity of the caulk around windows and doors. Over time, caulk can dry out and pull away, creating gaps for cold air to enter. Repair these areas with fresh caulk and replace any missing or damaged siding pieces to ensure your home’s exterior shell is sealed tight.
Before the temperature drops significantly, make it a priority to install your storm doors and windows. Putting them up early not only protects you from the first cold snaps but also gives you an opportunity to check their condition. If you discover that any storm windows or doors are damaged or no longer provide a good seal, you’ll have ample time to replace them. Addressing these issues proactively can lead to substantial savings on your energy bills throughout the winter.
Finally, don’t wait until the dead of winter to replace your outdoor light bulbs. Changing bulbs in freezing temperatures is an uncomfortable task, so it’s best to handle it in the fall. When you do, be sure to install energy-efficient LED bulbs. These bulbs use significantly less electricity than traditional incandescent ones and last much longer, which means you’ll do your part to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and save money on both your electricity bill and replacement costs.
By following just a few tips to green winterize your home, you can make a significant impact on your energy consumption and your wallet. These simple adjustments not only help you save money on heating bills but may also qualify you for a tax credit, offering even more financial benefits. Ultimately, you can feel good about doing your part in “going green” and reducing your carbon footprint this winter. Thanks for following our blog, and stay warm!
-FertilizerForLess.com Team
