After a hot summer, the cool, rainy Portland winter ahead sounds pretty nice. Of course, being chilly doesn’t feel great all winter, so follow our money-saving tips for winterizing your home and staying warm without heating up your energy bill.
- Optimize your HVAC. Did you know that heating and cooling your home can add up to over 40% of your energy bill? Make sure your furnace or heat pump is operating at maximum efficiency by having it serviced annually or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. At the very minimum, replace the air filter on your HVAC unit, especially after a smokey summer.
- Invest in ceiling fans for bedrooms and living areas. Yes, they feel nice in the summer, but did you know that ceiling fans can also cut down on your need to run the furnace in the winter? That’s because warm air accumulates near the ceiling and fans can help push it down. They can also help circulate the air through your home and eliminate areas of higher or lower pressure, which can impact HVAC performance.
- Upgrade weather stripping. The foam or rubber seal around most doors only lasts about five years, and less if the door is used frequently. As the weather stripping wears down, it leaves gaps where heated air can escape your home. If you’re not sure if your weather stripping needs replacement, use a candle to check for drafts. When holding a lit candle near the jamb of the closed door, the flame should not bend or flicker. If it does, there’s a draft, and the weather stripping should be replaced. Be sure to measure the size of the gap between your door and frame to determine the width of weather stripping to buy.
- Air seal your entire home. Other places where gaps and cracks can occur are: around ducts, pipes, exhaust fans, vents, sink and bathtub drains, fireplaces and under countertops. Small holes can be sealed with caulk; larger holes will need more extensive repair on a case-by-case basis.
Get a Home Energy Score. If your energy bills are high and the reason is unclear – maybe you’ve already followed the tips in this article – it’s time to call an expert. A Home Energy Score is an affordable, quick way to get a clear picture of your home’s energy performance, and where improvements can be made. Schedule online with one of our approved assessors!