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Over a year’s time air and
fuel filters can become dirty, jets can become clogged, circulating
pumps can become weak or fail, and thermostat settings can drift. Anyone
of these types of problems can impact your home heating systems
efficiency level and in some cases prevent it from working in entirety.
In addition to servicing your home heating system you can also take
numerous other measures to help save on winter home heating costs.
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Photo By Mark Donovan |
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First, start by checking the
insulation in your attic and crawl spaces. Make sure the insulation meets
the building codes for your climate zone. Attics and crawl spaces are
notorious for being under insulated and for contributing to major home
heating losses.
Second, install storm windows and
doors, as they can dramatically reduce the amount of air infiltration into
your home. If you cannot afford storm windows consider installing sheets of
plastic over the windows as an alternative.
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There are some specifically
designed and manufactured plastic sheet products for windows that do an
excellent job of preventing air infiltration.
Third, caulk around all doors and windows on the exterior of the home. Also
check the doors and windows for air leaks. Where there are air leaks, apply
weather stripping. Also place a folded towel or cloth snake up against
exterior doorway openings.
Fourth, check the exterior foundation of your home for cracks. Foundation
cracks not only make your home susceptible to water infiltration but also
cold air. Fill the cracks with a foundation crack sealer. In addition, you
may also want to consider installing plastic against the foundation walls.
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Fifth, install programmable
thermostats in each heating zone of your home. Program the thermostats for
cooler temperatures at night, and while you are away from the home during
the day. Also program the thermostats for 66-68o temperature settings when
you are home, and wear a sweater or sweatshirt.
Sixth, minimize the use of your bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans. Not
only do they draw moisture out of the home, but also a significant amount of
heat.
Seventh, do not heat underutilized rooms or levels of the home. Close the
heating registers or lower the thermostat settings in these rooms or levels
if you can. Alternatively, use a space heater in these rooms when you
infrequently use them.
Eighth, make sure your hot water heater is not turned up too high, and that
it and/or the hot water storage tank are wrapped in an insulation blanket.
Ninth, use drapes, blinds and curtains intelligently. Open them up on
southing facing sides of the home, or when the sun is directly shining into
them, and close them when it is not.
Finally, shorten your shower times. Long drawn out showers consume a great
deal of hot water and home heating fuel. Work at cutting your shower time in
half. By shortening your shower time you can also reduce the amount of time
the bathroom ventilation fan needs to be operating.
By implementing these energy saving tips you should be able to dramatically
save on winter home heating costs as well as help the environment. And maybe
the most important benefit put less money in the hands of oil and gas
companies.
If you are in need of hiring a general contractor for your next home remodeling
project visit HomeAdditionPlus'
Home Addition Bid Sheets.
Home Addition Bid Sheets include the tools you need to ensure you hire the
right general contractor for you home remodeling project including a
comprehensive checklist of questions to ask the prospective contractor, and cost
and timeframe estimates.
Home Addition Bid Sheets help ensure that your home remodeling idea and
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