Get better Home Energy Performance: A 5-Step Guide

 Make use of the fall season to get your annual winterizing and preventive maintenance projects done as the temperature is still good. Improve home energy efficiency and ready your home for winter by simply following this easy five step guide. This can help you save money and also make your home and its appliances longer lifespan.

 

• Examine the roof and gutters: Seek out and repair leaks or potential leaks. This can improve home energy efficiency and prevent the growth of mildew and mold within your attic. Eliminate debris on top of your roof as well as in your gutters and downspouts, and repair any gutter damage. Keeping your gutters in top condition helps prevent melted ice and snow from freezing in the gutters and forming ice dams, which may damage your gutters and your roof.
• Look for household air leaks: Look at every door and window in your home and examine for drafts, and make use of weatherstripping or caulk to stop them. Sealing leaks will help make your home more energy-efficient and help you save money.
• Check the insulation: Look at the insulation in the attic and any place else that you can see it. In the event it looks wet or moldy, you have to find and get rid of the cause of moisture first, then replace the insulation. Wet, moldy insulation won't provide adequate thermal resistance and can cause a health risk. If your insulation has become compressed, then it must be replaced also.
• Examine the furnace: Check the furnace for indications of dirt or buildup. Turn the thermostat down and up to make certain that the furnace starts and stops properly. Replace the filter. Schedule your annual professional maintenance. This should improve home energy efficiency, save some costs and improve quality of air.
• Clean the chimney: Clean the chimney to minimize the possibility of sparks starting a roof fire. Try to find cracks inside of the chimney that can accidentally cause house fires. Have professionals inspect any gas lines leading to the chimney.