As winter approaches (in some parts of the world), here are some ideas for “winterizing” homes to stay warm and save energy.
 

• Insulating the walls and attics will save about 25% on your home heating bills (ensure that your insulation does not have formaldehyde and uses recycled materials).
• Wrap your water heater in an insulating jacket–only if it is more than 5 years old and has no internal insulation of its own.
• Clean or replace the air filters in your furnace. This can save 5% or more in energy costs.
• Caulk and weather strip around doors and windows to plug air leaks.
• If you are replacing windows, invest in energy-saving models. Otherwise, if your windows leak, use specially designed plastic sheets to block off cold air from entering house (these can be purchased in any hardware store).
• Get an energy audit from your local utility company to find out how to improve your home’s energy efficiency

 
Originally posted in “On Eagles’ Wings” November 28th 2004