Energy Efficiency- part 3

Here's the final energy tip for the week.  When was the last time you changed your furnace filter?  If you can't remember the last time, it's probably time for a change. 

Did you know that filters should be changed every single month?  That is if you are buying the very inexpensive $2 or $3 dollar filter.  There are some filters designed to last three months, sometimes more depending on the manufacture.  Of course you are going to pay more for these types of filters.

I found this style with a febreze air freshener in it and it lasts 3 months.  I do not have time to remember each month to change my filter so this better fits my needs. 

Nothing like airing my 'dirty' filters!!!  This is the old filter I pulled out of my furnace.  It's been sitting in there since Spring.  That is not the color of the filter, that is dirt!  Disgusting. 

Here's another tip...If you hold the filter up to the light and you can't see the light through it, that's a bad thing!!

Why change the filter?  Well, if you think about it, a filter is meant to, well....filter!!  It's job is to filter dust and other allergens from your home.  Keeping the filter clean will help your furnace run with greater efficiency and keep your house cleaner.  A cleaner filter means less dusting!!   The harder your furnace has to work because of a dirty filter, the higher your utility bills!

I know all of us can save money on heating bills...change those filters.

Energy Efficiency part 2

There is another place in your home that lets in a huge amount of drafts and I bet you never knew!  Outlets!  They are big culprit for lost energy.  Test it out next cool day you experience.  Sometimes just putting your hand against an outlet or switch is enough to feel a draft. Sealing up the outlets is super easy.

Again, I started with a DIY kit from Duck.  Duck has all sorts of weatherstripping kits and they are very affordable.  Depending on the size of your house, this kit came with enough to do just about all the outlets in my house. Exterior outlets. 

The material is a spongy, insulation.  Each outlet sealer is in a perforated strip so just tear them off as you need one. 

They fit snugly over your outlet.  Once in place, secure the plastic outlet cover as usual. 

This may seem small and insignificant but it can make a huge difference in your heating bill.  I don't know about you but it's more often the draftiness that makes you chilled to the bone.  Here's hoping winter stays outside instead of inside this year!

Energy Efficiency

 Perhaps you're one of the lucky ones living in a new home or at least a well crafted home.  I am not that lucky.  My house is so drafty all year long.  See the big gap at the top of my front door? 

When it rains, we feel it.  When the wind blows, we feel it.  When the snow flies, it flies through the cracks in the doors.  It is not uncommon for frost to collect at the bottom of my door in the winter. 

 Ideally, I should replace the door, replace the windows, and do a bunch of other things to improve the quality of the house but that is just not feasible right now.  So, the next best thing is to take some steps to at least save the energy I can from escaping and the elements coming in. 

The first thing I did was add weather stripping to the front door.  Nothing could be easier and takes no time at all.  There are plenty of weatherstripping kits to choose from.  I chose a thicker size because it's a sizeable gap. 

Just follow the manufacture instructions which usually involves some easy trimming with scissors.

Clean the door frame with alcohol wipes to ensure a good, tight fit with the adhesive and the wood frame.

Simply apply the adhesive strip.  Voila!  Easy.  Sometimes just stopping the draft makes a huge difference. 

All this week, I will posting more tips on improving the energy efficiency of your homes, easy DIY that make a big difference.