With the air beginning to feel just a touch cooler as the seasons change, now is the time to begin weatherizing your home in order to save money during the upcoming winter. According to a Gaiam Life article, the average home that hasn't been weatherized releases air and heat, at a rate that matches that of a house with a four-foot-square hole in its wall.
A sound weatherization of your living space is the frontline defense against living in a cold space and suffering a needless loss of money. The simple process of sealing up air leaks can lead to saving of up to 25 and 40 percent annually, in regard to both cooling and heating expenses.
The trickiest aspect of weatherizing a home is knowing where to begin. Here are a few places to consider:
Attics: It's a well-known fact that heat rises, which makes a porous attic your worst enemy when looking to conserve energy and money. To prevent a loss through this area you can begin with weatherstripping and insulating the attic access door. Also, applying a seal around the outside of your chimney as well as plumbing vents are excellent preventative measures. It's important to note that not all sealants are the same, though. Be sure to use the appropriate substance depending on what part of the house you're working on.
Windows and doors: The areas surrounding windows and doors can be sneaky openings for air to escape as the crevices aren't always obvious at first glance. But weatherproofing all exterior doors, including those of the porches and garages, makes for a great way to conserve energy. For windows, adding fresh putty to loose panes and new sash locks will improve the seal between a window and its frame and stop a lot of leakage.
If you live in the Maryland area and would like to learn more about how you can save money on energy at home, schedule an energy audit with industry-leader Alban Inspections!