5 simple ways to increase energy effi ciency and savings
Fall and winter can be tough on your home and
your wallet. As temperatures drop, chances are
your furnace will be working overtime. This
results in two things — greater energy con-
sumption and higher heating bills. In fact, costs
associated with heating and cooling a home
year-round typically comprise two-thirds of the
average energy bill.
Try these easy DIY projects to help cut down
on energy loss and expenses:
1. Replace worn weather-stripping around
doors and windows. Worn weather-stripping
can create drafts and let heated air out, stressing
your furnace and compromising your comfort.
Replacing it takes little time and is a low-cost,
high-impact solution.
2. Top up or replace old insulation in your attic.
A poorly insulated attic is a primary source
of energy loss. Also, over time, some types of
insulation can settle and compact, allowing heat
to escape through gaps. Experts recommend
topping up or replacing attic insulation with a
dimensionally stable batt insulation like Roxul
Comfortbatt. Aim for an R-value of at least R-
50 or a depth of roughly 16 inches.
3. Insulate basement headers and walls. Uninsu-
lated basement headers are common, especially
in older homes. They can act as a gateway for
heated air to escape. Fixing the problem is fast
and easy. Simply cut Comfortbatt mineral wool
insulation to fi t the cavity and
compress into place. Doing
this throughout your basement
will prevent heat loss and can
potentially save hundreds of
dollars each year.
your furnace fi lter monthly, always changing it
when it’s dirty. This will improve the perform-
ance and effi ciency of your furnace, saving you
money.
4. Caulk around windows.
Cracks and crevices are a
source of heat loss. They can
also be an entry point for wa-
ter/moisture, as well as for un-
welcome insects. Preventative
maintenance, such as caulking,
can improve energy effi ciency
and prevent costly repairs.
5. Change your furnace fi l-
ter. Make it a point to check
Just a reminder,
always call
before you dig.
These days more and more power lines are located underground,
and the truth is, you don’t know where they are, but we do. So before
you pick up a shovel, pick up a phone and call 811 48 hours before
you dig. Whether you’re planting a tree, digging holes for fence posts
or installing underground sprinklers, knowing where the power lines
are buried could be a matter of life and death. For more safety
© 2015 Pacifi c Power
information, visit pacifi cpower.net/safety.
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2015 Fall Home Improvement