Lower Energy Bills

A warmer winter may mean lower heating costs

According to Consumers Energy, heating the home accounts for approximately 40 percent of household energy consumption.

Reducing drafts, or air infiltration, can reduce heating costs by 5 to 30 percent yearly, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

The most likely places for these leaks are around windows and doors, outlets, light switches, light fixtures, wires and pipes. Make sure that these are all insulated properly.

It is suggested to turn off combustion appliances like furnaces and water heaters, close all doors and windows and turn on any exhaust fan in the home. This causes the existing air in the home to be pulled out, which is in turn replaced by air seeping in from the outside through cracks and gaps.

Once gaps or air leaks are located use caulk or weather stripping to repair the leak.

Next, it is advised to check outside the home and to inspect all areas where two different building materials meet. There may be a gap in any of those places. If not properly sealed, use calk or insulation to seal the gaps. Additionally, regular furnace maintenance can ensure that the equipment is running efficiently.

Comments