While you might not be ready yet to pull out those coats and sweaters for winter, it’s not too early to begin getting your home prepared for colder temperatures.
Making your home more energy-efficient with weatherization efforts can save 5 percent to 30 percent on your energy bills.
You should start with an energy audit, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. An audit helps determine how much energy your home uses, where it is losing energy and what repairs can make your house more efficient. Many utility providers such as Consumers Energy and DTE Energy offer a free home-energy analysis.
- Add insulation. To maximize energy efficiency, your home should be properly insulated from the roof to the foundation.
- Caulk cracks. Inspect windows and doors for drafts. Find, repair and seal all those air leaks.
- Check the furnace. Change your furnace filter on a regular basis. Also, have a professional inspect your furnace on an annual basis.
- Close things off. Keep doors to unused spaces such as guest rooms closed. Turn off heaters and close vents in unused rooms. Close fireplace and wood stove dampers when not in use. Close attic, basement, garage and exterior doors.
- Leave window shades, draperies and blinds open during the day and down at night. Allow sunlight to warm your home.
- Lighten up. An average household spends about 5 percent of its energy budget on lighting. To cut costs, consider using energy-efficient light bulbs like a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED). They last up to 10 times longer, use 75 percent less energy and can save as much as $50 annually when replacing 15 traditional incandescent bulbs in your home.
- Lower temperatures. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater. With most pre-set to 140 degrees, consider setting yours back 10 or 20 degrees. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to manage temperatures throughout your home.
- Reset ceiling fans. Set ceiling fans to run clockwise so they draw air up and keep warm air circulating.
- Seal outdoor water lines. If you have an air conditioner or water lines that are exposed to the elements, they should be drained and properly sealed before winter. Also, be sure to protect pipes in unheated areas like crawl spaces, basements and/or garages.
In case you're curious, winter's official arrival comes at 11:19 p.m. EST on Saturday, December 21, with the winter solstice, according to the National Weather Service.
