With winter not all that far away, here are a few ideas on ways to promote energy savings from cable television's Do It Yourself network:
Reducing drafts
If you've got drafty windows, you can place shrink-wrap film over the window opening to reduce the energy loss.
Locate the draft by using a lighter and a hair dryer. Have a partner stand outside and blow a hair dryer toward the window. Light a butane lighter, and move the flame around the corners of the window. If the flame begins to flicker, you've got a draft.
Begin shrink-wrap installation by applying double-stick tape all the way around the window.
Attach the film to the tape, stretching it all around the window opening. Be sure the film sticks firmly to the tape; otherwise it might pull loose when you begin heating it.
Use a hair dryer to heat the film. Keep the hair dryer moving so you don't overheat any particular area. As the film gets warmer, it will tighten up until the wrinkles disappear. Trim any excess film with a utility knife.
Insulation
Another way to minimize drafts is by insulating the electrical outlets and switches on the outside walls. Turn off the power to the outlets at the circuit-breaker box and remove the outlet covers. Insert a foam insulating plate and replace the cover.
Another source of drafts is the gap between the window molding and the siding on the house. Use silicone caulk (clear or paintable) to seal the gap.
Use freeze caps to protect outside spigots in the winter months. Some models are affixed semi-permanently to the house.
Weather stripping
You can also lose a lot of heat through exterior doors. Weather stripping will help minimize that loss.
Open-cell foam weather stripping is soft and compresses easily. It has an adhesive backing for easy installation.
Closed-cell weather stripping is firmer and offers better insulation. It too comes with an adhesive backing. It should be applied to the doorstop on the top and latch side, where the door strikes the stop, and to the doorjamb on the hinge side of the door casing so it won't be pinched when the door closes.
Bronze weather stripping prevents drafts but doesn't provide much insulation. It has a beveled edge that presses against the door to form a tight seal when the door closes.
Flexible EPDM rubber is attached to the doorstop and provides a good seal against weather. However, it's difficult to install in a straight line. Fortunately, it's also available with an aluminum backing that helps keep the rubber straight.
If your doorstop is damaged, consider replacing it with a combination doorstop/weather strip. Use a flat bar to remove the old doorstop, cut the new doorstop to size, and nail it in place.
After you install weather stripping, you should install a door sweep at the bottom of your door to prevent drafts.
Energy loss
Some other tips to help you save this winter:
— Install a programmable thermostat that will heat or cool your house only at certain times of day.
— Use dimmer switches and three-way light bulbs to help reduce electricity consumption. You can also install fluorescent bulbs in lamps and other fixtures. Fluorescents produce more light with less electricity and last longer, too.
— During the winter, take advantage of the sun's rays by opening blinds and shades.
— Fireplaces are common sources of energy loss. Be sure the damper is in working order and that it's closed when the fireplace isn't in use. To insulate your chimney even more, install a chimney cap, which seals out pests and prevents heat loss.
— Glass fireplace doors can also help prevent energy loss. Keep them closed unless you need access to the fireplace. You might also consider installing a blower to increase the efficiency of your fireplace. The blower pulls air through a tube that circulates around the burning logs. When the air is heated, the blower forces it back into the room.