When it comes to keeping a home warm, Alantha Oliver, energy use advisor at Gunnison County Elec-tric Association, said that air sealing and insulation are the two biggest opportunities that people often miss. Air sealing is simple and affordable, she said. Use a caulking gun to seal around window frames, doorframes and baseboards, then check for gaps around exterior doors.
“Weather stripping is often old and compressed. It lets cold air in but also warm air out,” Oliver said. “Replacing it is an easy, low-cost improvement that most people can do.”
Focusing on sealing the top and bottom of a house is the key to retaining as much heat in the living space as possible, Oliver noted. Check your attic and crawl space; add insulation if needed and seal around rim joists underneath the home, where as much as 30% of energy loss can occur. Close crawl space vents that may have been opened for summer. This will help retain heat during winter and protect pipes from freezing.
Inside, check that the vents and any other heat sources are not obstructed by furniture or rugs. Ensure your furnace is clean and in safe working condition, and if you have a wood-burning or gas fireplace, make sure it’s clean and serviced annually for safety. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, reverse the direction of ceiling fans to push warm air down, and create an emergency supply kit — a comprehensive checklist can be found at ready.gov/kit.
Outside, cover patio furniture and store lawn and garden tools, mowers, edgers, and other summer items. Clean debris from gutters, blow out sprinkler systems, disconnect hoses, and put foam insulators over spigots. “They are about $5,” Oliver said, “and they also protect the spigot from the snow.”
Lastly, make sure your snow shovels or blower are in good condition and ready to work. Being winter-wise now can help you enjoy a warmer, safer home this season. Let it snow!
Contact your local electric co-op for more winter energy-saving tips, audits, and advice for home heat-ing projects of all sizes.
By Mary Peck
Mary Peck connects Coloradans with practical tips, ideas, and information to help them prosper.
