Winter’s cold is long settled in by now and as the temperature’s have dropped, we bet you’ve watched your home heating costs rise. However, keeping your home warm and cozy during the cold months of the year doesn’t have to make you feel like there’s an undetected hole in your wallet.
CertainTeed has offered up some great energy-efficient winterization tips that can help you keep the heat in your home and money in your wallet this season. Check em’ out.
Adding insulation
Installing insulation is one of the easiest ways to reduce your utility bills. Think about your attic for a second. Chances are if any ceiling joists are visible when you look up, it would be a good idea to add some extra insulation. CertainTeed makes a fiberglass blowing insulation that works well in attics because it fills those hard to reach spaces that are most prone to air leakage. It’s also a good idea to insulate any exposed pipes, especially ones that are located in outer walls, crawl spaces, and the garage.
Exterior prep
– Double check for and replace any worn out, old shingles.
– Remove any debris, such as leaves and branches, from your roof and gutters. This is an important step in preventing ice dams in the event of snowfall.
– Shut off any water supplies to your outdoor faucets and hoses.
A few more tricks and tips
– Have your furnace checked so you know it’s in good, working condition (Bonus tip: change your furnace filters every 1 to 3 months)
– A bit obvious and very simple but, keep drapes and curtains closed to prevent drafts and excess cold air from entering
– Create extra moisture in the rooms your family uses most often with a humidifier. This will make the air feel warmer and helps lower your chances of getting sick!
– You know how the warm air always gets trapped up by the ceiling? Get it to come down and warm up the room by reversing the direction of your ceiling fans.
