Home Heat Loss Costs You Money: Learn How To Fight Back

Here are some simple ways to reduce your home's heat loss and improve its overall energy efficiency:

Reducing Home Heat Loss = Energy Savings

These projects help prevent heat loss and are DIY-friendly

• Locate air leaks and other drafty areas in your home and seal them up with caulking, weather stripping or foam insulation. Check for air leaks around all of your home's doors and windows, as well as any other building penetrations needed for exhaust fans, furnace flues, chimneys, or plumbing and water lines.
• Adding insulation to crawl spaces, attics, and other cold areas of your home can reduce heat loss and result in a home which feels warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Check out the Department of Energy's insulation recommendations for your specific area.

Replacing Old Windows = Energy Savings

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that windows can account for 10 percent to 25 percent of the heating costs in your home, which means that your old drafty windows may be costing you a bundle.

• Replace single-paned windows with new energy efficient thermal windows, which have multiple panes of glass and other insulating properties, such as Low-E reflective glass coatings and insulated frames.
• If window replacement is too costly, consider installing storm windows over your existing windows, which can reduce heat loss through your windows by 25 percent to 50 percent.
• Look for Energy Star rated window products and take advantage of state and federal tax incentives which can help offset the costs of purchasing new windows.

Maintaining Your Homes HVAC Equipment = Energy Savings

Home heating costs are directly reflective of the equipment which heats your house, which means a well maintained furnace will operate more efficiently and use less energy.

• Insulate the furnace ducts in your home, periodically check for leaks, and clean the filters regularly.
• Make sure to purchase a properly sized furnace for your home and opt for a high efficiency model which should cost less to operate, although its initial cost may be higher.
• Install digital thermostats for your heating equipment, because they can be programmed to operate only during times of the day when you are actually in your home. Thermostat zones can also eliminate the need to continually heat portions of your home which go unused most of the time.

As you look for ways to prevent heat loss in your house, keep in mind that increasing its energy efficiency is a goal which is most often achieved by a combination of several home improvements. In the war for energy savings, every small battle makes a difference.