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Batten the Hatches

Our Community
Originally published in Seasonal Guide, September 29, 2011
Weatherization tips

No cost
Turn it down—Turn down your thermostat to 55 degrees when the house is unoccupied. It takes about one hour to heat the average house to a desired temperature. When at home during the day, setting your thermostat to 68 degrees is a comfortable maximum temperature. At night when you are sleeping, around 60 degrees should be comfortable.

Dress it up—During the day, let sunlight in by opening curtains over windows facing the sun. At night or when it’s overcast, keep those curtains closed to keep heat indoors.

Low cost
Seal, caulk and weather-strip—Seal any leaks in your heating or cooling system ducts. Also fix leaks in water/steam heat pipes. Weather-strip doors and windows, and caulk air leaks around windows, door frames, pipes and ducts.

Insulate windows (and pipes!)—Use clear plastic sheets to insulate windows during the heating season. Savings: 2 to 7 percent of heating/cooling costs. Insulate hot water pipes that provide heat to the rooms in your home. This will reduce heat loss and help your heating system work more efficiently.

Clean boilers and furnaces—Make sure the boiler or furnace is cleaned and serviced by qualified personnel. Cleaning substantially extends the life of your heating system while ensuring that it’s operating safely. Plus, it can save you up to 10 percent on fuel costs.

More cost
Thermal windows—Install storm or thermal (replacement) windows. These tight-fitting windows give the benefit of double-pane glass. Air trapped between the two panes acts as a thermal insulator, keeping your heated air inside where it belongs.

Storm doors—Install storm doors to prevent warm air from escaping to the outside and remove window air conditioners in the winter, if possible. If not possible, use an insulated cover. This could save you up to 15 percent on your heating costs.

Repair holes—Repair any holes in your roof, walls, doors, ceilings, windows and floors. Savings: Up to 10 percent of heating/cooling costs.

Insulate—Insulate attic access and basement trap doors with R-19 insulation. You can cut your heating costs up to 25 percent simply by installing proper ceiling insulation to at least R-30 standards. Insulate walls, floors and heating ducts, too. This insulation will not only keep heat from escaping, but will also make your home more comfortable.

—Compiled in part from efficiencymaine.com

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