KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – HOUSEHOLD ENERGY FIXES

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – HOUSEHOLD ENERGY FIXES

As we all know we have some of the highest natural gas and electricity rates in and around Chicago. With a few simple fixes you can save energy and money.

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 energy savings will pay for this in a few years. They will detect where air is entering your home using various devices.

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 just not going to see the energy savings that window manufacturers promise.

Here are two online resources to help you with your energy savings:

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

Alliance to Save Energy – info about government incentives for installing energy saving items in your home.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO