Monday, November 21, 2011

Winterization Tips

REALTOR® News & Views
As the weather gets colder and another Maine winter descends upon us, here are a few simple steps you can take to protect your home from the elements and save some money in the process. Winterizing your home does not need to be expensive or time-consuming, and a little preparation now can definitely pay off in the long run.

·         Perform a home energy audit.  According to the US Department of Energy, a home energy assessment can be a great tool to help lower your energy bills. You can either do it yourself, or hire a professional for a more detailed analysis. A professional uses special equipment to measure the air flow in and out of a house, however you can also do a simple, but thorough, walk-through to look at primary areas where air leaks commonly occur – windows and door frames, exterior doors, electrical outlets, switch plates, baseboards, attics, and utility line entrances. Also check areas where different materials, such as wood, brick or siding meet – between foundations and walls, corners, around chimneys and where pipes or wires exit along the foundation. Ensure that you have an appropriate amount of insulation in place, and that caulking and weather strips are applied properly, and are in good condition. Foam gaskets can be installed behind outlet and switch plates on exterior walls, and you should also consider insulating basement walls, and heating and hot water pipes. Storm doors and windows, or double pane thermal windows are also a good idea, and can help save on energy costs as well. More information on performing a home energy assessment can be found at the US Department of Energy’s Web site, www.energysavers.gov.

·         Service your heating system. Have a professional service your heating system each year to ensure it is operating properly and efficiently. Install a programmable thermostat that allows you to heat your home while you are there, and allow it to drop a bit while you are not at home. Also, utilize heating zones if you have them, which can heat the area of the home in which you spend the most time, rather than the entire house. If using a fireplace, make sure your chimney is cleaned, and keep the fireplace flue closed when not in use. This is also a good time to check that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed and functioning properly as well.

·         Clean your gutters. Gutters clogged with leaves and debris can be a problem in the winter, and if not cleaned properly, they can cause ice dams and other damage to your home.

·         Service weather-specific equipment.  Make sure your snow blower has been serviced and tuned up. Drain the gas in your lawn mower, and store away and summer and fall gardening equipment. Replace worn or broken shovels and ice scrapers, and have bags of ice melt or sand on hand.

·         Prepare an emergency kit. As we all know, the weather can wreak havoc on power systems, so it is a good idea to stock up on essential items in case of a power outage: candles, matches, batteries, flashlights, blankets, first aid kit, medication, bottled water and nonperishable food supplies – including pet food, if you have a pet. More information on emergency preparedness can be found at http://emergency.cdc.gov.

·         Don’t forget about tax credits and other incentives! There are various local, state and federal incentives that exist to help homeowners become more efficient more affordably. Efficiency Maine, www.efficiencymaine.com, offers low cost loans for home energy upgrades that can help you save money on energy costs. According to their web site, a Maine PACE loan can deliver enough savings to offset the cost of the loan, and you could save save an average of 40 percent a year on energy!

Brought to you by the Greater Portland Board of REALTORS®              

Article submitted by Heather Horlor, REALTOR®