Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Tips for reducing home energy costs

The unrest in the Middle East and Iraq, combined with the upcoming chilly weather, will likely translate into higher energy bills for Fayetteville-area residents. "There are ways in which to cut down on these expenses this coming winter with a little preparation now," said Dwight Hurston, Fayetteville-area director of HouseMaster, the premier home inspection franchise organization in the U.S. and Canada.

"With proper maintenance and upkeep, as well as some adjustments in living habits, homeowners can greatly cut down on heating expenditures, while increasing efficiency and protecting the environment," said Hurston. The greatest loss of energy in the home occurs during winter, as consumption increases.

Here are tips from the experts at HouseMaster home inspection to keep warm and within your budget:

Reduce the use of exhaust fans in the kitchen and bath, which rapidly remove heated air from the home.

Avoid opening windows and doors except to remove excess humidity or strong cooking odors.

Doors to spare rooms should be kept shut with the heat turned off in each room.

Garages containing furnaces or water heaters should be fully insulated.

Home entry doors should be weather-stripped, and a storm door with a closer (that will close it promptly and keep it closed) should be installed.

Caulk around windows and door cracks to reduce air and moisture leakage.

Leaves and dust should be cleared from compressor-condenser units.

Insulate hot water pipes and heating vents in unheated crawl spaces to prevent heat loss; insulate cold water pipes to prevent freezing of water and burst pipes.

Attic vents should be kept open so that outdoor air circulates and removes water vapor, but ducts should be insulated to reduce heat loss. Keeping a "cold roof" (allowing outdoor air to circulate through an unfinished attic) can also help reduce future ice dam and roof leak problems.

Change the filter on the furnace so that it will run more efficiently (cost is about $2 per filter).

Install a set-back thermostat that automatically turns heat on and off, with a timer; this can be set to automatically lower the heat while the home's residents are at school/work, and set to click on again a half-hour before people arrive home.

Have your heating system maintained by professionals to keep it functioning properly for years to come.

Homeowners are asked to run through this checklist and make the necessary adjustments before the arrival of the rough winter months. According to Hurston, "These guidelines will keep energy waste to a minimum, ease the stress on your budget and help conserve energy throughout the season."

For additional home information, visit www.housemaster.com, or contact your local HouseMaster office at 770-537-0155.

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