Each winter, consumers are looking for ways to save money on home heating. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) suggests ways for homeowners to safely winterize their homes and save money in the process.
“High heating costs are a problem each winter when money is tight,” says Ran Hoth, CEO/president of the BBB Serving Wisconsin. “Winterizing a home is economical because a small up-front investment is worthwhile for months. It increases the energy efficiency of a house and lowers overall heating costs.”
According to the Energy Information Administration, more than 90% of the 116 million homes in the United States are expected to have higher heating costs than the previous winter. Homes heated primarily with propane are expected to spend an average of nine percent more than last winter, and homes heated with electric heat are expected to spend two percent more. Fortunately, homeowners can reduce some of the costs by winterizing their home.
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The BBB offers the following tips for winterizing homes:
- Caulking and Weather Stripping. To prevent air leaks, homeowners should inspect the caulking around windows and doors to check for cracking and peeling. In addition, ensure that doors and windows are shut tightly and no cold air is coming in due to worn down weather stripping.
- Ceiling fans. By reversing the direction of your ceiling fan so the blades turn clockwise, you push warm air down and force it around the room.
- Furnace. Furnaces older than 15 years might be due for a replacement. For newer furnaces, make sure the filter is clean and the thermostat is working properly.
- Heating ducts. Ducts should be cleaned once every two years. Homeowners should also consider adding insulation to any exposed ductwork in order to prevent losing heated air.
- Emergency kit. When a winter storm strikes, an emergency kit should have all essential materials in one handy place. An emergency kit should include flashlights, candles and matches, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food and a battery-powered radio. Create the same emergency kit for the car as well, including a couple blankets.
- Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors. Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and install fresh batteries. Homeowners should consider replacing smoke alarms older than 10 years.
- Gutters and ridge vents. Gutters should be cleaned to prevent any clogs that would cause rainwater to back up and freeze, making the gutters expand and crack. The ridge vents need to be cleaned as well in order to help prevent stagnate air.
- Windows. Window screens should be taken down and replaced with storm windows; they provide an extra layer of protection and keep the house warmer. Investing in a window insulator kit is an inexpensive option to keep out drafts.
