With the rising pricing of heating fuel to record levels, it is even more important to increase the efficiency of your home in order to keep more money in your pocket. While the installation of solar panels, wind turbines and replacement windows and doors are certainly worthwhile sustainable upgrades; here are some easier weekend retrofits that can help to reduce your monthly heating bills:
Insulate
Attics and roofs are a large source of heat loss. Even if your attic is already insulated, it is important to make sure any weak spots are addressed such as attic access hatches and ladders. Hatch kits can be purchased at most local hardware stores and are very easy to install. Addressing existing un-insulated exterior walls become a larger project but can be addressed using blown in fiberglass or cellulose insulation. Most large home improvement stores will provide free rentals of the required blower with the purchase of the insulation.
Seal Ductwork
Leaks in forced air systems can account for as much as 25% of energy loss in both new and existing homes. Leaks in ductwork allow conditioned air to be lost within unconditioned attics, crawlspaces and garages instead of the living spaces of your house. Duct leakage can be measured by professional testing companies, but as a start joints and seams can be taped using Duct Joint sealant tape to help reduce this energy loss.
Programmable Thermostat
Installation of a programmable thermostat can be extremely easy and provide a large savings. Locally, Gas Networks has offered a $25 rebate for new thermostats and recently this year introduced a $100 rebate for the purchase of a Wifi thermostat. I recently installed the Nest learning thermostat in my own home and would recommend it to everyone. Many households install a programmable thermostat, but only see minimal savings either because it is never or improperly programmed. The Nest has a learning feature which tracks the times you are home and your temperature settings throughout the week and programs itself. In addition, the unit has an auto-away sensor that automatically turns the system off while you are out of the house for extended periods of time. Because the unit connects to your local wireless network, owners have the ability to monitor the unit remotely from a computer or iPhone.
