It was during a recent cold snap I was tying my shoes up by the back door when I felt a really cold breeze coming through the bottom of the door, near the corner. I recently replace my two outside doors and thought that the company that had installed them had caulked them well enough but I was mistaken. I found the source of the breeze and it was a spot in the corner where they had missed with the caulking.

Upon further investigation I also noticed that I could see sunlight coming through the door at a couple of the corners and I could feel a bit of a breeze coming through the seems around where the door hinges are. Off to the local hardware store I went and picked up a roll of weather stripping for the door and tube of caulking. All for under $20 and with about fifteen minutes of work there was no more breeze. No more cold air coming through the door and no more heating money going out the door. It is a double saving because this little bit of work will help with my air conditioning in the summer as well. I think sometimes we forget about sealing up the house for the cooling season.

A little note about weather stripping. There are all sorts of different types. I opted for the kind that has a peel and stick side on it so you just have to peel it and stick it. No messing around with staples. You can if you want but there is no need, this stuff hold pretty good.

Weather stripping also comes in different sizes. Getting the size right is important. If your stripping is bigger than your gap then you are going to cause more leakage than you originally have. If it is too small then you aren't helping your cause. It might be worth while to try and get a measurement of your gap.

I also notice that most caulking tubes don't have a cap on them. If you let it sit then the air will get into it and it will dry up. I take screw or nail and shove it in the end of the tube to stop it from drying out. Works pretty good when you go to use that tube four months later.

Here is a picture of the exact weather stripping I used for my doors.

Nearly 35% of all heat within a home is lost simply through air leakage.  By doing everything possible to lower that number and keep your heat in your home, you can save a great deal all year long.  If you’re not sure where to start, one of the first things to do is a very thorough walk-through of your entire home.  Search high and low, on your knees and on your ladders, for any areas where heat might be escaping.  Check near windows, doors, behind your light switch boxes, under the staircase and around the fireplace.  Everywhere!

If you’re not sure how to tell if air is leaking, simply grab a lighted candle and hold it near the area in question (a windowsill, for example).  If the flame dances around or moves/flickers, you know air is blowing.  Once you find holes, cracks, etc., then you can use weather stripping, caulking or extra insulation to ensure that the air leaks or eliminated completely.  There’s no sense pumping your home full of heat only to let it freely escape out holes and cracks that you can easily get rid of.  Place draft-door stoppers in front of your doors, consider insulated curtains for your windows; all of these “little” things will greatly add up.  For openings you don’t use or rarely use, like pet doors or chimneys, consider sealing them off completely if at all possible.  Extra large openings like those often get overlooked, but they’re some of the worst offenders.

Other easy things to do to keep your heating costs lower:

• Clean furnace filters at least once a month and start the season with new ones (use less energy to push through clean filters)
• Turn hot water heater down from 140 degrees to 120 (you should never notice the difference)
• Turn down your home thermostat down by 2 degrees.  Your body will acclimate to a two degree change very rapidly and you’ll save all season long
• Make the most of sunshine.  The more of the free heat you can soak in from the rays of the sun during the day, the better.  Keep blinds open wide during the day and closed at night
• Turn off central heating at night.  Sleep with an electric blanket or a small portable heater to take the edge off your bedroom
• Use a programmable thermostat to ensure that you never forget to turn the heat down or off for the day/night

Simple changes can lead to significant savings, so never think a small effort won’t pay off over the long run!  Wearing socks and shoes all day and bundling up in an extra layer that let’s you get away with turning down that thermostat will make a difference!  So, keep your heat in wherever and however you can, and watch your savings add up!

Guest post via Air & Water.

Saving Money on Heating and Cooling Bills

-Brandon Serna, on behalf of Redstone College

When it comes to our daily living, our homes require quite a bit of money. If you’re hoping to save a buck now and then on the expenses you pay, following some efficiency tips with your HVAC system can be one way to keep your hard-earned wages from disappearing into thin air. Here are some hints you can use to keep your system operating as efficiently as possible while still keeping you comfortable during hot summer or cold winter months.

Cooling and Heating Ducts

Ducts transport heated and cooled air around your home, but if they aren’t sealed properly, they won’t do their job well. When your ducts are sealed the right way, the heating and cooling efficiency of your system can grow by up to 20 percent—maybe even more—and save you some money since you won’t be wasting energy. Use duct sealant or metal-backed tape to seal seams and duct connections, then wrap the ducts in insulation to help them stay at the right temperatures in summer or winter. Work on the ducts in your attic, crawlspace, garage, or unheated basement first.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are great for those who are often away from their homes during set times of the week. Used appropriately, this device could save you around $180 in energy expenses annually. Devices might even pay for themselves in two years or less.

Maintenance

How long has it been since someone came to check your HVAC system and see whether it needs a tune-up? Keeping the system free of excess dirt will increase its efficiency, protect your home from excessive pollutants, and save you money because airflow won’t be restricted. Check your filters monthly and change them if they look dirty, especially in summer and winter seasons. Regular maintenance will also help you lengthen the life of your HVAC system.

Simple Solutions

Sometimes, energy efficiency solutions are quite simple. Keeping doors and windows closed will help ensure the air you’ve paid to heat or cool will stay inside your home. Just as you would inspect duct work, be sure to check along doors and windows to ensure they have good seals as well.

Keep vents open in rooms you want heated or cooled, and take time to clean the vents as well. It’s also possible that outdoor components will need to be cleaned.

ENERGY STAR

If you’re thinking about changing your current HVAC system, look for the ENERGY STAR label on the products you consider. Shop around to find the best product for the right price, and don’t be afraid to ask for extra help finding the unit that is ideally suited for your home; this can save you a considerable sum on your energy bills. These products are designed with energy efficiency and cost reduction in mind.

A Caution with New Systems

Proper installation is important to keeping your system running effectively. Consider hiring a certified professional to see that this process is completed correctly. Troubles with installation can lead to poor air flow, leaky ducts, and poorly matched coils.

Take some time, also, to make sure you’ve addressed any other issues in your home that have been discussed earlier, such as closing air leaks in your house or duct system.

Thinking deeper?

If you’re interested in making HVAC a career, think about going to school for HVAC training. At Redstone College you can work toward your HVAC /R degree and gain a true understanding of the profession. This school offers a modern lab setting along with instructors that are working professionals.

Try adjusting your water heater's temperature to 120 degrees. You can save considerably here. Heating water is a main component of your electricity bill. Your water heater is constantly heating your water and this is especially true if you  have it set at a higher temperature.

Try adding an insulation blanket and wrap your water heater. They are inexpensive and easy to add. It's like adding a big coolie cup to a beer can, it's going to help keep the temperature for you and cut down on your bill.

Use cold water as much as possible when doing laundry. You can save 2 to 4 percent on your energy costs. In fact, we rarely use hot water in for washing in our house.

Turn the heat dry off on your dishwasher and let your dishes air cool.

Change your air conditioner and furnace filter on a regular schedule. Your best bet would be to google your type of filter and see what the recommended times are for replacing them.

Replace your old light bulbs with fluorescent lights. You could save up to 66 percent on lighting cost per light. Generally these bulbs tend to last much longer than regular bulbs.

In the summer keep your drapes and window blinds shut, especially with windows that face North and West. In the winter open them up so get full sun that will help you heat your house naturally. I have been really strict on this one and I can't say how much it helps to keep the house cooler and warmer in each season.

Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors. I did this to every window and door in my house last fall and could not believe how much heat I was losing out cracks.

Try to use your microwave oven more when preparing meals. You can't use it for everything but instead of firing up the stove for vegetables for example try your microwave.

Although I blog alot about saving money the other underlying theme of the changes I talk about is the commitment to helping the environment by saving energy and using less. This is important. Although in many cases doing things to be more enviromentally friendly can at first seem costly I think it is important on us all in the long run. Adding insulation is important to conserving energy but is costly to front at first. You get your money back later in lower hydro bills over time.

This Christmas you can do your part by using recycled Christmas cards. I am not talking about taking old cards and crossing names out and reusing them. I mean making sure you buy cards that are made from recycled paper. It's a great way to help mother earth and show your friends and family that you care about the futire of everybody.

Usually when we do dishes we let the dishwasher sit overnight or for the day so it's not like we need them to be instant dry. I tested this on the last few runs. On my dishwasher I can actually turn off the heat dry option as a setting although I have read where a few people had to manually turn theirs off when it goes into heat dry mode. This may be on older models.

I found that the dishes were fine when taking them out. A few might be damp but you can always dry them off a bit before they go to the cupboard. Another suggestion may be to open the door to let the air in to dry them off better. Either way give your electricity bill a break and let mother nature dry your dishes.

You might even be able to save money on cleaning your dishes using the method below but I wouldn't recommend it.

1. Add new attic insulation — Many home attics are much warmer than they should be, and lose a lot more heat than they ought to. Making sure you have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic is one of the easiest and most effective ways to save money on your heating bills.

2. Check your windows — Minimize the loss of warm air from your home by repairing any broken or cracked glass. Putty old windows and make sure that they close properly. Also, consider adding new weatherstripping and caulking the frames around windows.

3. Check your doors — Make sure all of your external doors close tightly. Replace any doorknobs, latches, and striker plates that don't work properly. Also, consider adding weatherstripping and caulking door frames as well.

4. Check the fireplace — Make sure that it has a tight-sealing damper and that you close it when not using the fireplace. If you never use the fireplace install a chimney block to eliminate heat loss through the chimney.

5. Use energy-efficient light bulbs — Replace all of your old incandescent light bulbs with newer energy-efficient bulbs. They'll help you save on your electric bill and you may even be able to get a rebate from your utility company by using them.

6. Install low-flow showerheads — Over time these can save you quite a bit on your energy and water bills.

7. Reduce your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit — Many people keep the water in their tanks way too hot. Lower the thermostat and save a bunch of money.

Other energy-saving improvements you may want to consider:

(Note: These improvements are more "involved" and costly but well worth the investment in the long-run.)

1. Install automatic setback thermostats that adjust your home's heat on a schedule.

2. Add new insulation to your walls, basement, crawlspaces, and flooring.

3. Install exterior storm windows.

4. Replace your normal curtains with tight-sealing or insulated window coverings

Here are a few photos of the project. I used steel framing but I think wood would have been cheaper and more efficient. We had to brace the steel with wood anyways as the foam without the bracing would have ripped the steel apart.

The infographic, supplied by Energy Authority, (www.energyauthority.net) an internet community specializing in providing the latest information on the efficient end-use of energy, speaks to both homeowners and renters with easy to do tips for cutting costs and saving money when it comes to utilities.  "Due to the current economic climate, a growing trend that continues to remain in effect is to become more eco-friendly, while at the same time, providing efficient ways to be financially secure," says Energy Authority Spokesperson.

Visit their website to see the Lower Electric Bills Graphic.

When you filter becomes dirt and saturated with dirt, dust and things like pet hair it means that you furnace has to work harder to move the air through it. By replacing your old filter or cleaning your filter you are helping your furnace work more efficiently. I have read that you should be replacing your filter once a month. You can buy packs of them at your local hardware store.

There are many types. Disposable and reusable types that you can clean. I will leave it up to you to research which type you want to use but if you want to save money get in the habit of changing that furnace filter.