Whether you’re looking ahead to prepare for colder months or want to learn how to increase your energy savings throughout the year, weatherizing your home for each season is a great way to save energy and stay comfortable all year long. During fall and winter months, your heating system and water heater work overtime to keep you warm.
Weatherizing your home can help your appliances use less energy and generate heat more efficiently. Plus, it’s a good idea to plan your budget now so that you’re ready to weatherize your home in time for fall.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, maintaining your heating equipment regularly and upgrading your system with recommended insulation, air sealing and thermostat settings can save you up to 30% per year on energy costs. Read the tips below to learn ten affordable ways to stay cozy and save energy this fall and winter.
Energy-Saving Tip: The United States Department of Energy offers Weatherization Assistance to some qualifying households. Learn More
Most heating systems need to be cleaned at least once a year. Before the cold months approach, plan to have your heating system serviced by a professional who can perform a power flush and clean your heating system. While they’re there, they should also check your electrical connections, lubricate moving mechanical parts and inspect the condensate drain. This can help your heating system work more efficiently and prevent costly repairs in the future.
Energy-Saving Tip: If you’re an EPB customer, you may be able to get back $50 when you hire a qualified contractor to perform an HVAC tune-up. Learn More
One less obvious way cold air can get into your home is through your outlets. In older homes, there is often no insulation around outlets. These tiny holes in your walls can let the cold in or warmth out. Adding insulation using one of the following methods can help minimize this heat loss:
Safety Tip: Practice extreme caution when working around electricity to avoid injury and other hazards. Turn off the circuit breaker before working near an electrical outlet.
One of the easiest ways to save on energy costs in colder months is by eliminating drafts. The U.S. Department of Energy says eliminating drafts can reduce your energy costs by 5–30% per year. Even the smallest gaps around your exterior doors can let freezing air into your warm home. Identify areas that might have air leaks and seal them to keep cold air outside and conditioned air inside.
One easy way to eliminate drafts caused by exterior doors is by installing draft stoppers to create a barrier along the bottom of your doors, blocking drafts and boosting your home’s energy efficiency. You can typically find draft savers at hardware stores in a variety of shapes, types and sizes.
Another effective way to ensure cold air stays out is by sealing your doors and windows with plastic or cloth. This method is especially useful for doors and windows that are not frequently used. By sealing these less-utilized entrances, you can significantly reduce drafts and heat loss, making your home more energy-efficient when it’s cold outside.
To seal doors and windows, consider the following methods:
By reducing the number of areas exposed to the outdoors, you can focus on fully sealing entrances that may be letting in cold air to enhance your home’s overall energy efficiency.
An even simpler way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is by keeping doors and windows shut. Ensuring that exterior doors close fully behind you when entering or exiting prevents gusts of cold air from entering and counteracting your heating efforts. Similarly, avoid opening windows unless absolutely necessary.
Here are a few tips to help you minimize the amount of time your doors and windows are open:
By keeping doors and windows closed, you can significantly reduce the amount of cold air entering your home, making your heating system work more efficiently and helping you save on energy costs.
Water heaters consume a significant amount of energy, especially during the winter months, which is why using an insulating cover is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to weatherize your home. Water heater insulation can reduce standby heat loss by 24-45% and save you about 7–16% on your water heating energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
You can purchase pre-cut water heater insulation jackets or insulating blankets specifically designed to wrap around your water heater. They’re easy to install, cost around $20 and can provide a quick return on investment by lowering your energy bills.
How to install a water heater blanket:
In regions with consistently cold weather during the winter, your air conditioner becomes unnecessary for a few months. Here are some energy-saving tips for managing your air conditioner during colder seasons:
Remove window units. If possible, take down your window unit and store it in a safe place. Once removed, seal the window with weatherstripping or a plastic insulation kit to prevent drafts.
Wrap fixed units. For fixed units that cannot be removed, use foam sealing strips or sealing tape to cover any gaps between the window and the air conditioner. This will block cold air from entering your home.
Here’s how to wrap your fixed unit:
You can find these sealing products at most home improvement stores or online by searching for “window sealing tape” or “foam sealing strips.”
While it may be tempting to indulge in long, hot showers on chilly days, doing so can significantly increase your energy consumption. Water heaters use a lot of energy to maintain high temperatures, and water heating accounts for up to 18% of your home’s energy usage.
By opting for shorter, cooler (aim for warm rather than hot) showers, you can reduce this excessive energy usage, lower your energy bills and reap a few health benefits.
Here are some tips to help you conserve energy while showering:
Additionally, taking warm showers has potential health benefits, such as improving circulation, preventing dry skin and boosting your immune system.
Properly using and maintaining your chimney damper and flue can greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency. The damper is an adjustable plate inside the flue that controls airflow, preventing warm air from escaping and cold air from entering when the fireplace is not in use.
Tips for managing your damper and flue:
For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s guide on fireplaces.
Sealing gaps around doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulk can prevent drafts and save you about 5-10% on your energy costs. It’s easy, inexpensive and only takes about an hour to complete.
Follow these tips to seal your windows with weatherstripping or caulking:
The tips above are some of the easiest, most affordable ways to weatherize your home. However, there are many additional steps you can take to make your home even more comfortable and energy efficient in colder months, especially if you’re willing to take on tasks that are a little more complicated or expensive upfront.
If you’re an EPB customer, you can schedule a free EPB Energy ProsSM Home Energy Checkup to ask energy questions, find out which weatherization projects would improve your home’s energy efficiency the most. Plus, we’ll show you how to get back thousands in rebates for home energy upgrades.