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Energy Saving Projects to Winterize Your Home

ENERGY SAVING Projects for © tudi.com TUDI 'WinterizingʻYour Home $. Tax Credit and Energy Star Home Performance Most homes shouldn't require a great deal of energy or heat to be comfortable in the winter. Small to major home improvements can save you money and make the govern- ment happy that people are conserving energy. $500-$1500 in tax credits can go to a majority of the following energy efficient solutions for qualifying participants. Contact local energy companies for local, state and federal qualifications or search the database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. In some cases you will be required to choose Energy Star Home Performance contractors that are certified by the Department of Energy to qualify for some of the state and federal incentives. Draft Reduction Problem Solution Draft Snake U.S. Department of Rolled towels or material scraps (even neckties) filled with a heavy and pliable substance (sand, litter, etc.) to stop airflow. Place under doors Storm Doors and windows (efficient openings can qualify for up to 30% tax credit for the cost). If you don't want the full cost of purchasing or installing storm windows you can treat the windows with a low price window insulation kit. The plastic is easy to install and virtually invisible, or you can hire a contractor to install a 'low-e film' that goes directly on the window glass. Energy states that 5-30% of your energy use is lost to drafts. Another form of treatment can be caulking or weather stripping to seal leaks in frames, pipes, corners, or chimneys. Trick to check: Have a person use a blow dryer or a leaf blower outside of the windows or corners, while the person inside is holding a lit candle. A waver in the light means there is a leak. A different approach could be (removing any flammables from an area) lighting an incense wand and bringing it up to the areas that could need treatment, if the smoke is pulled out or wavers there is a leak. 5-30% Replace Dirty Furnace/Filters or just tune them up Problem Solution Replacing dirty filters, ditch the fiberglass for electrostatic (88% trapping and controlling debris) or HEPA filters, not HEPA-like (99.97% trapping of airborn particles). Replace your furnace for a modern Energy Star-certified model and you can get up to 30% of the cost ($1,500) covered by federal tax credits for new furnaces.' Dirty or inefficient furnaces mean more energy for less heat. Many utilities offer free annual checkups, or manufacturing discounts. Book early to avoid the hassle! Reverse the Airflow Problem Solution Clockwise rotation makes the air warmer taking the rising heat and funneling it back to the livable space. Most ceiling fans have a switch to reverse and cut 10% of the heat costs. Heat rises and the livable space is cooled in the process. AC and water shut offs/seals SSSS* Problem Solution Water leaks and AC units can cause unnecessary leaks and drafts from frozen expansion cracks and the obvious open Drain any hoses, turn off any spigots, and shut off valves. An alternative would be to replace the air conditioner with the government reimbursing 30% ($1,500) in tax credits for the central air system. window. Have a technician test and fix any problems, for improvement and sealing (cleaning is mainly for dust and mold, which can be good for the home). The American Solar Energy Society links properly sealed ducts up to $140 annual savings. AC ducts can allow 10-30% of the system's air to escape. Reasonable Heat Problem Solution Leaving your house empty and the heat on makes 50-70% of Lowering the temperature by each degree can save 1-3% of the heating bill. Alternatives would be to exchange your current box for a programmable thermostat or ask your utility company about smart energy costs a waste. You physically are cold from being an energy saver meters. Sweaters are a great way to insulate the body and raise internal temperatures up to 4 degrees, balancing out the lowered (and saved) temps. A reasonable 120° will keep your water steamy which can be achieved by tankless heaters or a solar heater (tax credit up to 30%). 6-10% of water heating costs are due to factory scalding tempera- tures (140°) ll Monitor your usage Problem Solution If you can't decide what to treat or do first for savings? An energy monitor can inform you in real time what your current usage is and what that will mean for a projected monthly bill, which could lead to 15-20% of wasted energy off your bills. YES NO 15-20% Insulation Problem Solution That fluffy fiberglass may not be holding up anymore and letting the core temperature of your residence escape Replacing insulation or adding some between walls, attic floors, and basement ceilings can prevent both the cold getting in as well as the heat escaping your living space. 30% (up to $1,500) can be reimbursed through tax credits for highly efficient insulation installment. Outside pipes are hot to the touch and at risk for freezing and cracking. Insulate your pipes with pre-slit pipe foam that you can cut to size and secure with duct tape. Ask your local hardware store about R-value (measure of heat-blocking power). Creative Solutions Natural cool air can keep food chilled without the use of an indoor unit. An ambient air refrigerator on the side of your home can do just that with wood, insulation and computer fans. TUDI An infographic by www.tudi.com Mechaical SyNtemN

Energy Saving Projects to Winterize Your Home

shared by Tudi on Jan 21
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The middle of winter often gets leaves homeowners worried about the rising costs of their energy bills. However, the truth is that you should be able to keep your home comfortable without cranking up ...

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