KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – MORE ENERGY SAVERS

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – MORE ENERGY SAVERS

Last week we talked about saving electricity in our home offices. This week let’s discuss saving on heating. As we all know we have some of the highest natural gas rates in Chicago as well as electricity.

Buy a programmable thermostat. It will keep your home temperature lower when you are not at home.

Plug air leaks! This can save up to 20% on your heating costs. Use foam and caulking to seal up gaps and cracks. Put weather stripping on windows and doors. Insulate pipes and ductwork.

If you don’t have enough handyman experience it might be advantageous to hire a professional energy auditor. This can cost $250-$700. They will detect where air is entering your home using various devices. The amount of energy savings will pay for this in the long run and increase your home’s value.

Replacing expensive items such as windows and furnaces should only be done if these items are at the end of their useful life. Spending thousands to replace windows is not very cost-effective. Even the most energy efficient windows will still lose heat. You’re not going to see the energy savings that window manufacturers promise.

Here are some additional online resources for you:

Energy Star do-it-yourself guide to sealing air leaks

State incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy

Alliance to save energy

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO