ENERGY TIPS FOR WINTER Submitted by Sean Welsh, Energy Resource Educator December 21st marks the first day of winter. Even though it is the shortest day of the year, it can be an ideal personal deadline to install some energy efficient measures to help save some dollars and energy around the holidays. Scheduling a day to “walk through” your home or apartment can help put a focus on do-it-yourself energy efficiency. The focus of this walk-through is to note any materials and products you may need to purchase at home improvement stores at low costs to improve energy conservation in your home. Keep the following tips in mind: • Notice any obstructions blocking heating registers, remove them so the heat can get into rooms. • Lights can be upgraded to LED Energy Star labeled lights, to save money and energy. • Windows should be locked and secured, any air sealing around window sashes and panes can be done with energy efficient products found at home improvement stores, renters can do the same but should look for products that will not chip or peal paint. Rope caulk is an excellent air sealing tool for renters. • For extremely leaky windows or single pane windows, window insulation kits found at home improvement stores, can be installed on either or both of the exterior/ interior of the window. • Doors can be improved by weatherstripping products and door sweeps, a good way to check if you could weather strip a door is to unlock it on a sunny day and look to see if you can see light around the perimeter of the door, if so weather stripping may be needed. • Upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat can save money and help the occupants of the home utilize the most heat when they are home and awake. Utilities offer thermostats at better rates in online marketplaces, or through promotions.
floor, can be air sealed to stop air flow, typical places to fine these holes are in the basement around plumping and electric lines, or from floor to floor in a home. Different foam products and insulation materials can be used to seal these gaps /cracks to the outside or from one floor to the next. • If you have a fireplace, close the damper unless it is in use. Different products on the marketplace can also Sean Welsh, Community Energy Advisor help with a fireplace that is not used on a regular sw288@cornell.edu | 845-292-6180 ext. 127 basis. Items such as chimney balloons (these are more expensive than other measures Community Energy Advisor Sean Welsh mentioned) can stop drafts, but must be can be reached at 845-292-6180 ext. removed prior to the fireplace will be 127, sw288@cornell.edu, or visit www. used. • Open your shades in the winter on sunny days to take advantage of heat from the sun. • To ensure your equipment is operating as best it ca, have your heating system serviced annually. • If in the market for new holiday lights, consider Energy Star LED lights that are cool to the touch when on and use less wattage than compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) • If your hot water heater is warm to the touch, it can be wrapped in an insulating blanket designed to insulate uninsulated water tanks. Look up the manufacturing recommendations for your water heater.
Adding insulation and weatherizing by professionals can significantly reduce the loss of heat from your home; consider touching base with a community energy advisor to discuss options for a free home energy assessment and look into what programs you may be eligible for to help with a drafty home.
• Penetrations to the outside or floor to Page 6
midhudsonenergychoices.org and fill out the intake sheet on the website to discuss your options!
Extension Connection
December 2020
Source:s “Energy Saver.” Energy.gov. Accessed October 14, 2020. https://www. energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver. “Winter - Simple Energy Saving Tips.” Extension. June 23, 2015. Accessed October 14, 2020. https:// extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/ winter-simple-energy-saving-tips/.
