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Friday, March 2, 2012

Steps In How To Reduce Your Energy Consumption This Winter By Draught Proofing Your Home

By Andrew Brentford


Winter is a great time of year because we don't have to deal with uncomfortable humidity and temperatures that soar, however, with it comes the cold weather. And with that, an increase in heating regardless what the resource it is. Of course, we all cringe at the thought that the cost of energy is going to rise once again with no end in sight, so we have to find solutions to cut our consumption yet still be comfortable. Below, learn how to reduce your energy bills this winter by draught proofing your home.

These beneficial tips will require a small effort as well as a small investment. Regardless of that, they will bring you great savings over many years, so it is a relatively small investment for the rewards that you will be granted. It all starts with careful observation to discover where heat loss is occurring.

One of the easiest ways to examine an area for heat loss is with the use of a lit candle. Be sure to use a candle holder as well to avoid dripping wax on clothing, furniture and flooring. Place the lit candle close to the surface taking care not to touch the flame to any fabric and such. If the flame moves, then there is a draught which means that there is heat loss. A good place to start is with all entry points as these cause of the most heat loss, more often than not.

It is also common around window frames. In fact, with the amount of Windows in a home, it is likely that these are the biggest heat loss areas of any home. However, there are others like electrical switches and outlets, the exhaust of a range hood or clothes dryer. Once you have completed the inspection, action is necessary.

With regards to the doors, invest in special insulation strips that can be easily tacked on or glued on by anyone, regardless of how handy they may be. There are different types on the market, some better than others, so ensure that your purchasing a good quality product that will last and provide you with optimum results.

With regards to your windows, much of the inspection will have to be done on the exterior side. Often, there are lots of draughts due to cracked or compromised caulking. These will simply have to be removed and reapplied. You can also invest in window insulation kits to maximize your efforts against heat loss.

The light switches and electrical outlet on exterior walls should also draw your attention because although they are small, they can do quite a lot of damage on an energy bill. Apply foam sealant to the area that has been specifically designed to resolve these issues.




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