Winterize to Economize

Autumn is in full swing, with cool, crisp days, falling leaves and potted chrysanthemums decorating Toronto doorsteps. This fall, as you go about getting your home ready for winter, pay attention to the little details that can improve its energy efficiency.

• Book an appointment to have the furnace cleaned and safety-checked this month. An efficient heating system is crucial to your comfort in the winter and a well-tuned furnace will cost less to run.
• Upgrade your furnace to a higher-efficiency unit and save as much as 25 per cent on your annual heating/cooling bill.
• Improve your furnace’s efficiency by installing a programmable thermostat.
• Consider having an energy audit done to identify retrofits that can reduce your home’s energy bills, operating costs and environmental impact, while increasing comfort, durability and resale values.
• Wash windows inside and out to increase passive solar heating and make your home sparkle. Clean and store screens. Install storm doors to help insulate against winter drafts. Use a paintbrush to dislodge debris from sliding door tracks and then vacuum.
• Replace drafty, inefficient windows with energy-saving thermal windows.
• Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to push warm air downwards.

By keeping energy-efficiency at the top of your home improvement list, not only will you save money, but you will be rewarded with a snug, comfortable home this winter.

Courtesy: Homeservice Club