|
Wednesday, November 13, 2002 Preventive fall maintenance can help reduce energy costs and protect your investment
Kids are back in school, football is back on Monday nights and bathing suits are in safely hibernating for the winterall signs that and fall has finally arrived, thankfully replacing the oppressive heat of the summer and bringing with it some much needed rain. Autumn brings falling and blowing leaves, dipping temperatures and the promise that winter will soon be upon us. Taking on some preventative home maintenance projects now will help keep you and your family cozy during the chilly days and nights ahead and will safeguard your home investment. Here are a few areas of your home to pay special attention to in the next couple of months. Check roof insulation thoroughly. We've already heard reports that heating costs are expected to rise this winter. To ward off higher utility bills, start by evaluating your roof insulation. Heat rises, causing heat from your home to escape through any vulnerable areas of the roof. The most efficient way to stop that loss is by installing ceiling and roof insulation with an R-value of approximately 40. The R-value refers to the ability of any material to resist the passage of heat. For example, a fiberglass bat or blanket 9 1Z(2 to 10 inches thick has an R-value of approximately 30. You can raise that number to 38 simply by adding two or three more inches of fiberglass. Check for gaps in your home's exterior. Heated air also can escape from gaps that develop where building materials meet. Inspect areas where building materials may have pulled apart and caulk or seal any gaps that have formed. Check places where exterior siding meets windows and doors, around roof and foundation lines, around chimneys and where pipes protrude through walls or roofs. Inspect your heating system. Consider replacing an older or inefficient heating unit with a gas or oil furnace or a heat pump with a high efficiency rating. If your system already is efficient, be sure to inspect and clean it regularly. Be sure that filters are clean and that you change them monthly. Dress in layers. To save in heating costs during the winter, set your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit and keep a sweater nearby. Consider replacing an existing thermostat with a timer model that can turn the heat down while you sleep or when no one is at home. Many models allow you to set the time separately for weekdays, Saturday and Sunday. Examine windows for signs of leaks. Ensure that your storm windows and doors are effectively keeping warm air in and the cold air out. Make repairing or replacing older, inefficient fixtures one of your highest priorities this fallit will make a difference in your comfort and your wallet. Look for any cracks around glass, sashes and window frames that could be leaking air. Apply adhesive foam weather strips to the top and bottom window rails or nail felt weather stripping where window sashes and frames make contact. If you live in a home built in the last 10 years or so, you likely have double or triple-paned windows and low-emissivity (Low-E) glass. Both these products increase your energy efficiency and can lower your energy bills. Don't forget to clean gutters and downspouts. Even though gutters and downspouts don't affect your energy bills directly, check them at least twice a year. Gutters and downspouts are easy traps for falling leaves and pine needles, and squirrels often use them as pantries for storing winter food. Be sure to clean gutters thoroughly, and pay special attention to elbows and bends in your home's downspouts. Keep hangers fastened securely and plug any holes and cracks. Using rustproof paint, touch up any sections showing signs of rust both inside and out. Performing routine home maintenance is essential and well worth the time and effort to keep energy bills low, protect your investment, keep your family safe and prolong the life of your home. Most of these tips were adapted from "The Complete Guide to Four Season Home Maintenance" by Dave Herberle and Richard M. Scutella. Look for this book and other helpful home maintenance resources in your local bookstore or visit www.nahb.org for maintenance tips in the "For Consumers" section. (Chad Floyd, who is with Chadwick Homes, is president of the Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves a membership of approximately 550 builders and associate members in Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether counties.)
|
||