Keep your Heat In: Winterize Your House
Alice Briggs
Winter is coming, and although we hopefully won’t have another snowpocalypse this year, the price of utilities is going up, and there are some simple things you can do to winterize your home and save money on your bills. We’ve chosen the quickest and easiest ways to winterize your house that we believe will give you the biggest return on your investment.
Window Drafts
Do you have windows that let in extra West Texas dust? Those same windows can allow your warm air to escape. Check outside for cracked or missing glazing compound or caulking and repair or replace for an airtight seal. Check inside for gaps around the trim and glass and repair those as well. Remember not to interfere with the window’s ability to open. If you have single pane windows, you can also increase their insulation by using window film. This crystal clear film is easily installed.
Door Drafts
If you can see sunlight coming through gaps around your doors, they may need to be replaced or rehung. Drafts under the door are common, and a door draft stopper is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to eliminate these drafts.
Chimney
If your fireplace chimney’s damper is at the top or missing entirely, a flue blocker can be added to keep your heat from escaping. Easily installed and removed, this is a great tool to keep dollars in your pocket.
Heating System
Have your heating system inspected and serviced. This is typically not a DIY project, but the increased efficiency that results may pay for it many times over. At a minimum, clean or replace your filters. We love these washable filters. Rinse them off once a month and they will last longer than your HVAC.
