Key Points

A tiny crack around a window frame may seem insignificant, but tiny cracks and gaps can really add up to big energy waste.  Fall is fast approaching, which is a great time to weatherproof your home for added comfort and energy savings.  To reduce heat loss and help prevent cold drafts from entering your home, these are the typical types of improvements:

• Add insulation to the attic, walls and floors (may need to add ventilation).
• Get and efficiency audit on natural gas, fuel oil furnaces, boilers and water heaters.  New furnaces or heat pumps may be installed to replace inefficient heating equipment.  Tax credits are available for 30 percent of the cost, up to $1,500 for qualifying equipment. 
• Check all of your doors and windows for any air leaks or drafts, and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
• Replace broken glass and reputty loose panes.
• Do you have a fireplace?  If used, keep the chimney flue closed when not needed.  Otherwise, close off unused fireplaces.

In addition to reducing energy use and heating costs, you’ll find that weatherproofing may actually extend the life of your home.