Seal Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors

Seal air leaks around windows and doors to prevent wasting home heating and cooling energy that costs you money.

Check for air leaks
With windows and doors closed, hold a lit stick of incense near window and door frames where drafts might sneak in. Watch for smoke movement. Note what sources need caulk, sealant, and weather-stripping.

Seal air leaks around windows

If you have old windows, caulking and adding new weatherstripping goes a long way toward tightening them up.

Bronze weatherstripping ($12 for 17 feet) lasts for decades but is time-consuming to install.  
Self-stick plastic types are easy to put on but don’t last very long.
Adhesive-backed EPDM rubber ($8 for 10 feet) is a good compromise, rated to last at least 10 years.

Nifty gadgets called pulley seals ($9 a pair) block air from streaming though the holes where cords disappear into the frames.

Seal air leaks around doors
Check for air leaks, and replace old door weatherstripping with new.

Foam-type tape has an adhesive backing; it’s inexpensive and easy to install. If it comes loose, reinforce it with staples.
Felt is either adhesive-backed or comes with flexible metal reinforcement. it must be tacked or glued into place. It’s cheap and easy to install, but it has low durability.
Tubular rubber, vinyl, and silicone weatherstripping is relatively expensive and tricky to install, but it provides an excellent seal. Some types come with a flange designed to fit into pre-cut grooves in the jambs of newer doors; check your existing weatherstripping and replace with a similar style.
Check exterior trim for any gaps between the trim and your door frames, and the trim and your siding. Caulk gaps with an exterior latex caulk ($5 for a 10-ounce tube).

Seal door bottoms
If a draft comes in at the bottom, check the condition of the threshold gasket. Replace worn gaskets. If you can see daylight under the door, you may need to install a new threshold with a taller gasket ($25 for a 36-inch door). Or, install a weather-resistant door sweep designed for exterior doors ($9). Door sweeps attach directly to the door and are easy to install.

Indianapolis Real Estate

Money Saving Heating and Cooling Tips

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. Typically, 43% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling. With the high temperatures we experienced this past summer and the cold temperatures that are sure to follow this winter, it's important to get the most out of your heating and cooling systems. You can save on your energy bills by properly maintaining and upgrading your equipment, but that alone is not as effective as combining it with a whole-house approach.

Tips for Heating and Cooling

Use a programmable thermostat as you only need your air conditioner or furnace to run when you are home. Set timers to come on no more than 30 minutes before you arrive at home. Try to keep your summer thermostat at 78 degrees or higher and your winter at 68 degrees or lower to maximize your energy savings. Avoid placing lamps and televisions close to your thermostat as the heat from these appliances may cause your air conditioner to run longer.

Use draperies or window shades to capture or repel heat. In the winter, use heavy drapes to block drafts. Open them when the sun is shining to draw in the solar heat and close them when it is dark and cloudy outside to trap heat in the room. Keep your window coverings closed during the summer to offset the increase in heat from the sunlight pouring in. However, if the outside air is cooler than the inside and humidity is low, by all means, open the windows and let nature be your air conditioning!

Insulate your doors and windows against heat and cold. Seal any drafts around doors and windows with weather-stripping. If air is still flowing, cover the windows with plastic in the winter. Proper insulating is just as important in the summer to keep the heat out.

Plant trees and shrubs to shade your home. Deciduous trees planted on the south and west sides will keep your house cool in the summer and allow the sunlight to warm the house during the winter. For example, just three trees, properly placed around a house, can save between $100 and $250 annually in cooling and heating costs.

Maintenance : There are many safety items and operational devices in your home comfort system. According to the E.P.A. you should have your heating system checked and serviced annually to keep it safe and operating as efficient as possible. In most cases the cost of this service will be saved in lower operating expenses, less likelihood of equipment malfunction, not to mention that you will know you are protecting your family.

Air Filters : Your home furnace filter needs to be changed on a regular basis. How often depends on variables such as type of filter, operating time of system, and occupancy of home. Your filters main objective is to protect your comfort system from harmful dirt and particles. With many type of filters you can receive the added advantage of helping resolve allergy and other health issues your family may have. As a rule less expensive 1" filters should be changed monthly and other filters can last from 90 days to 1 year.

Try out some of these handy tips for summer and winter and watch your energy bill fall and your comfort level rise!

Indianapolis Real Estate

Affordable Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Regardless of your income level, homeownership can take quite a bite out of your budget. With energy costs on the rise and the economy still in a lull, maintaining a home has become increasingly difficult and quite costly, particularly if your home is not as energy efficient as it could be. Thankfully, there are many cost effective ways to make your home more energy efficient:

• If drafts occur around your windows and doors, use caulking or weather stripping to fill in the unwanted spaces. For drafty windows, you may even consider applying a thin plastic weather barrier on the inside of your windows during the winter months.  
• By design, your water heater is insulated, but it can always use an extra layer of protection. You can reduce heat loss without spending a lot of money by purchasing an insulating blanket for the unit.
• You can insulate your water pipes, particularly if they exist in unheated areas of your home.
• Remember to check the filters on your heating and cooling systems monthly and replace them regularly. Keeping up with annual maintenance and service is the key. 
• When possible, replace any incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs which are more energy efficient and last longer too!  
• Consider Replacement Windows: Although replacing the windows in your home can be costly. Energy efficient windows will save you a bundle of money in the long-run, particularly if your current windows are old and outdated. 
• Install Exhaust Fans: Exhaust fans can pull unwanted heat and humidity from bathroom and kitchen spaces during the summer months. 
• Install Ceiling Fans: Ceiling fans can help reduce your home’s dependence on air conditioning during the summer months and, in the winter you can use the fan to help push heat down from the ceiling. 
• Install Programmable Thermostats: A programmable thermostat will reduce your energy costs by regulating the temperature in your home based on peak usage. In other words, your thermostat can keep lower the temperature during hours when the home is not occupied and pump it up while the family is gathered at home. 
• Replace those Old Appliances: Particularly if you are using older model appliances, you may want to consider replacing them with more energy efficient models. 
• Conserve Electricity: Turn off all electronic devices when not in use.  
• Use the Sun: During winter months, keep all window covers on south facing windows open to allow for additional sunlight. 
• Set Your Thermostat Wisely: In the winter, set your thermostat at 68° F. In the summer, set the thermostat at 78° F. 
• Use Your Damper Properly: Close the damper when your fireplace is not in use.

These tips and more ways to make your home more energy efficient are available at:  http://www.doityourself.com/stry/affordmoreenergy#ixzz0yD9Dp15U
By the DoItYourself.com Staff

Indianapolis Real Estate