Preventative maintenance for your home is not very exciting (these are chores, after all), but it is necessary and will help you protect your investment in your home.
Here are some things you should be working on as the temperature outside falls:
Check your roof insulation- How much roof insulation do you have? Heat rises, so your home's most likely area to release heat is the roof. The most efficient way to stop that loss is by ceiling and roof insulation with a sufficient R-value. The R-value is the ability of any material to resist the passage of heat.
For example, a fiberglass bat or blanket 91/2 to 10 inches thick has an R-value of approximately 30. You can raise that number to 38 simply by adding two or three more inches of fiberglass. Since our winters here are mild, it is recommended you work toward an R-value of 30 to 38.
Fill the gaps- Heated air also can escape from gaps that develop where building materials meet. Look for signs where building materials have pulled apart and caulk or seal the gaps. Check areas where exterior siding meets windows and doors, along the roof and foundation lines, around chimneys and where pipes protrude through walls or roofs.
Inspect your heating system- Consider replacing an older or inefficient heating unit with a new unit with a high efficiency rating. If you currently have an efficient system, inspect and clean it now. Be sure that your filters are clean and that you change or clean them monthly.
Grab a sweater- Keep your thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. consider replacing an existing thermostat with a timer model that can turn down the heat while you sleep or when you are not at home.
Check your windows- Be sure you have good storm windows and doors. If you don't, this should be a high priority for older fixtures. Also, look for any cracks around glass, sashes and window frames that could be leaking air. apply adhesive foam weatherstrips to top and bottom window rails or nail felt weatherstripping where window sashes and frames make contact. If you live in a home built since 1991, you are likely to have double or triple-paned windows and low-emmissivity (Low-E) glass. Both these products increase your energy efficiency and can lower you energy bills.
Clean gutters and downspouts- Even though gutters and downspouts don't affect your energy bills directly, they should be checked twice a year. Gutters and downspouts are traps for falling leaves and pine needles, and squirrels can use them as pantries for storing winter food. Be sure to clean gutters thoroughly, and pay special attention to elbows and bends in the downspouts. Keep hangers fastened securely. Plug any holes and cracks. Repaint rusting components inside and out with rustproof paint.
Most of these tips are from The Complete Guide to Four Season Home Maintenance by Dave Herberle and Richard M. Scutella. Look for this helpful book in your local book shops.
According to a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders, three quarter of today's new home buyers rant energy efficiency as one of their most important considerations.
The builders of Northwest Florida know that saving money and energy is important to you, and we are providing new homes that do that.
Once you live in an energy-efficient home, some routine maintenance is well worth your time and effort to keep your energy bills low and your comfort level high.
May not be used with out written permission from The Home Builders Association of Northwest Florida.