When it’s cold outside, it shouldn’t be cold inside too! A leaky home can leave you freezing in winter and hurt your wallet through higher heating bills. Below are some simple tips and tricks to help you stay warm and save money this winter.
Boost Your Insulation
Older homes often suffer from under-insulation. The best way you can keep your home warm in the winter —not to mention cool in the summer — is by adding more insulation. Unfinished attics are often the culprit. The Department of Energy estimates that properly insulating your attic may save you up to 50 percent on your heating bills. Adding loose fill or rolled batt insulation is a do-it-yourself solution that works wonders and makes a huge difference in your heating and cooling costs. You can also hire professionals to spray in foam insulation which can be pretty affordable through state programs like Mass Save and RISE Engineering.
Maintain Your Furnace
An inefficient furnace wastes heat and money, so regular maintenance checks are well worth the cost to ensure your furnace is running optimally. The ductwork should be well insulated, and the furnace filters regularly cleaned or replaced. External venting should also be clear so that the furnace runs safely.
Windows and Doors
Did you know you have giant holes cut in your walls? That’s right — your doors and windows are where you lose the most heat in the winter. Replacing the weather stripping around your door can help to seal up leaks. Winter-only storm doors and windows can block the harshest cold. If those aren’t an option for you, inexpensive kits are available at the hardware store, which cover your windows in plastic film for the winter. Honeycomb-style shades can also be a simple way to insulate your windows.
Fill The Cracks
Even the tiniest crack can affect the temperature of your home. If you can see light through a crack, that means wind can blow in. Spend some time inspecting your home for any leaks and use caulking to seal them up tight. The spaces around windows and doors are a common place for these cracks. Also, be sure to look behind your socket plates to make sure that no air is getting in around them.
Solar Solution
You don’t need solar panels to take advantage of the sun’s energy. On sunny days, open the shades and let the sunshine in. This method, called “passive solar,” helps keep your home warmer for free.
Think you can’t afford upgrades to keep your home warm this winter? At BayCoast Bank, we offer interest-free HEAT Loans designed to help you boost your home’s energy efficiency. Use the money to pay for qualified energy-efficient improvements such as:
- Weatherization improvements
- High-efficiency heating systems
- High-efficiency domestic hot water systems
- Solar hot water systems
- Energy Star® qualified replacement windows
- Energy Star® thermostat(s)
- Central air conditioning
Get in touch with us today at 508-678-7641 and we’ll help guide you through the process.
