DIY Home
Winterizing Projects
Polar vortex, be gone! With some of the coldest winter weather in
the history of the world shattering temps and chilling us to the bone, one of
the most productive weekend projects you can invest your time and money into
will be winterizing your home. Not only does home winterization help you
streamline your operating expenses, but it makes your home more energy
efficient and better for the environment. So how do you do it?
Check Your Home
for Air Leaks
To determine where you’re losing heat, simply light an incense stick
and slowly walk around your home. Take note of anywhere the smoke is streaking,
which is ultimately causing a draft. Pay particular attention to areas near
doors, windows, attics and basements, as these are common culprits of cold air.
Take a Trip to the
Hardware Store
Foam Weather Stripping – If you determine the leak to be coming from
the gaps between the window and the frame or door and the frame, foam weather
stripping is a great solution. Easy to install, just remove the sticky backing
and cut it to the length you need.
Spray Insulation- Perfect for filling cracks around plumbing or
electrical outlets, spray insulation can be purchased fairly inexpensively from
your local hardware store.
Recaulk the Windows- Though a larger undertaking; recaulking
the windows is one of the most impactful ways of insulating a home. Over time,
wood can warp and rot and the older your home is, the more likely it is letting
moisture in and helping heat escape. You’ll
need a caulking gun, sealer, putty knife, old rags, and a steady hand, but it
is an easy DIY project.
Invest in an Electric
Fireplace
A great source of supplemental heat, freestanding electric
stoves or wall mounted electric fireplaces are a great way to save money on
zone heating by allowing you to turn down the central thermostat and only heating
the rooms you spend the most time in. Electric fireplaces cost only about 8-12
cents an hour to operate, ultimately reducing your monthly energy bill by up to
10%.
You should also consider replacing your existing gas or wood
fireplace with an electric log set. It’s been estimated that up to 60% of heat
is lost through the chimney, so you’d not only be saving money, but also the
hassle and mess of cleaning up smoke and ashes.
You don’t need a lot of tools or expertise to make your home
feel cozier this winter, but take some time this weekend to make home
winterization a priority for the new year and new you.
Guest post provided by Lauren Monitz of ElectricFireplacesDirect.com,
the #1 online source for electric fireplaces and a major distributor of
Twin-Star brand products.
