Are You Wasting Precious Heating Money? Top 6 Do-It-Yourself Energy Efficiency List

How comfortable are you in your home this winter? Are you feeling drafts? Or are you turning your heat control up higher to stay warm? How "green" is your home when it comes to using gas, oil or electricity?

New England has some of the coldest winters around. Many classic homes in New England were not originally well-insulated (if insulated at all!). On the other hand, newer homes possess hidden “energy drains” that can rob you of your energy dollars.

It’s actually easy to make an impact on your monthly energy bills. The potential energy savings ranges from 5% to 30% per year. The home is generally much more comfortable afterward.

When corrected, changes to these areas can yield you the greatest return in energy savings and efficiency.

The following is a list of areas to assess and fix. We recommend carrying a clipboard to make notes so you can plan your repairs in order of priority based on what you find from these results.
Here are the top spots in your home to examine:

1. Check all doors and windows to determine if they are tight or if they rattle. You can use a lighter flame to see if air is moving around door or window frames. Make sure they are sealed tightly, as this is a big energy drain.

2. Head to the basement to check for cracks in the foundation. Remember to check windows here as well. Have a cellar bulkhead, slider or door? Make sure they are sealed. This is also a good time to check for leaks around dryer and furnace vents. Don't forget the insulation in the floors too.

3. Before you leave the basement, check the switchplates and electrical outlets there. Using the flat part of your hand you will be able to feel any drafts around them. Continue checking the rest of the house for drafts around switchplates and electrical outlets.

4. Easy-to-forget places include: fireplace dampers, chimney, vents, attic doors, wall-mounted cabinets, mail slots and pet doors.

5. In regards to the attic, check the insulation thickness there. The current standard in New England is R-30, but you can never have too much insulation in your attic. There should be a vapor barrier under the attic insulation.

6. Finish up by taking a walk around your home and noticing cracked or broken siding, foundation or other parts of your home's surface. Also examine areas where cable or phone lines enter the home.

So you've checked out every square inch of your home by now. You'll want to make a list and prioritize based on the biggest jobs that will save you the most money. If you cannot afford to complete these jobs all at once, break them down into stages. Armor yourself with a modest investment of spray foam insulation, caulking guns and weather stripping. You'll start to see your savings adding up soon.