It's that time of year again - the leaves have fallen and there is a chill in the air. And in your home. However, there's no need to rake your cash in a huge pile, too, in order to pay your heating bill. Winterize your home so you'll spend the holidays in comfort.
Conduct a Home Energy Audit
sxc.hu
Is your home leaking money each month? Seemingly minor issues such as air leaks, outdated appliances and inadequate insulation could be costing you. Conduct a home energy audit or hire a professional in order to renovate smart.
Monitor Your Energy Use
After you've conducted an intial energy audit, continue to monitor your energy use with the latest in green home technology. These gadgets will help you identify areas for improvement in your home's envelope to keep it winter-proof (and they make great gifts, too).
Beef Up Your Insulation
Melodi2, MorgueFile
Your heating system may be working overtime because your home is leaking valuable heat. By beefing up your insulation, you can save on your energy bills. And the best part? Insulation is pretty cheap!
Install Energy Efficient Windows - Or Not
Marcos Clei Graeff de Oliveira
With all the advertisements promising to slash your energy bills if you invest in new replacement windows, your drafty old windows aren't looking so good anymore. However, a house-worth of new windows is a big investment. Should you replace your windows or is it better to make do with the ones you have?
Replace that Old Water Heater
Arsel Ozgurdal
Since it's getting cold out, you'll be relying on your hot water heater much more. Though it seems counterintuitive, some green building experts advise turning the temperature down on your hot water heater to conserve energy. However, if your water heater is hopelessly out of date and operating on borrowed time, it may be time to take advantage of those tax credits and purchase a new, energy-efficient model.