Winterization
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Winterization Overview
As temperatures begin to decline (or in some cases abruptly plummit), it's time to winterize your home, whether its a rental or a standalone structure. These cheap and simple tips can help you save money on heating this winter. Using these tips, you should be able to save 50%!
Prevent Leakage
Air leaks can contribute to 40% of the heat you generate being lost. Weatherstripping can seal these leaks and prevent that loss. This can yield significant savings.
- Deal with the obvious - do you have a mail slot or pet door? Consider closing this off for the winter (place a mailbox outside and perform door duty for your furry friend).
- Weatherstripping. You can seal off your windows (probably won't be opening them for months). Use weatherstripping tape Also, around a door frame, the bracket, and under it.
- Seal doors and windows - caulk or otherwise seal cracks in windows, doors and their frames, as well as external faucets, and pretty much any opening to the outside cold. This pamphlet dives into this much deeper.
Maximize Sunlight
Sunlight is free heat. Capture as much as you can. Clean windows and doors of dust. You can get creative with reflectors placed strategically outside if you're so inclined.
Bundle up
Every degree you drop your thermostat is money in your pocket. Wear multiple thin layers, adjust as they day goes on, and in particular, wear socks.
Insulate
If you can afford it, upgrade your insulation in your attic. If you rent, you can put bubble wrap on your windows to hedge against those thermal weakspots.
Ceiling Fans
If you have them, flip the switch to clockwise, so as it circulates air from above, down. Because warm air rises, and fans don't cool, it'll pump air you've already heated down to where you need it.
