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1. Check around your home to detect any areaswhere heat may be lost. For example, find and fix air leaks around windows, under doors, foundation, electrical outlets, exhaust fans, and attic openings.
Reseal any and all questionable weather stripping.
2. Inspect the insulation in your attic and basement to be sure you have a proper amount. Patch up any areas that are sparse or show holes. Contact an Insulation company to complete a full home inspection for proper and efficient insulation and patch up any places that require more for the winter months.
3. Wrap your hot water heater in an insulating jacket.
The harder it has to work to keep your water warm, the more it costs you to keep.
4. Maintain and clean your furnace and filters regularly.
5. Hire a professional to seal and insulate leaky ducts, and to ensure that the airflow distribution system serving your heating equipment is operating at peak efficiency.
6. Consider sealing windows with a plastic sheeting to reduce heat loss. If your windows are older or in poor condition consider replacing them with new, energy-efficient windows.
Install drapes on windows. However, keep drapes open during sunny winter days.
7. Adjust the thermostat setting by five degrees and compensate for comfort with clothing. Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically lower temperatures at night and when you'll be out of the house for an extended period of time.
8. Close your foundation vents in the winter if there's a crawl space under your home.
9. Close the vents and doors to rooms that you don't use. Also keep closet doors closed.
10. Install ceiling fans, the air circulation promotes heating efficiency in the winter. Switch fans to rotate in reverse to circulate the warmer air.
11. Turn off lights when not in use, and where possible, replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent ones, they last about 10 times longer and use about 10 times less hydro.
12. Deactivate the AC. Shut off your air conditioning system or remove the wall unit. If it cannot be removed, wrap it with a tarp or other sturdy cover.
13. Test the heater before winter. It's been a good 8 months or more probably since you've used your heater, so it's a great idea to give it a test run before the cold weather arrives.
14. Create a 'wet' area: remember how mucky and wet the front door area can become from boots and stuck-on snow. Purchase a rubberized mat to place wet footwear on and a mat or rug to absorb additional snow.
If you're thinking of renovating, consider a tile floor near enterance ways to make wet cleanups a breeze. With hardwood flooring, the water will absorb and will warp wood planks or ruin the finish on your floor.
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