Get Your Home Ready for Winter!
November Tip of the Month, brought to you by Canadian Residential Inspection Services
- If your heating equipment is over 20 years old, consider upgrading it. New equipment is much more efficient than the older versions.
- Draft proof your home everywhere! Include attic hatches, doors, window frames, and any penetrations through exterior walls.
- Consider upgrading your windows to dual or triple pane if they are more than 20 years old.
- Change the furnace filter often and have heating equipment serviced and cleaned on a regular basis.
- Install a programmable thermostat! This allows you to setback the temperature when you are asleep or away, automatically.
- Lower the thermostat two degrees and wear more layers.
- Upgrade attic insulation! It is almost impossible to have too much insulation. Edmonton’s “Net Zero” home has four feet of insulation in the attic.
- If you have a fireplace, replace any leaky dampers and repair chimney flues. Think about switching to energy efficient alternatives like electric inserts, or direct vent natural gas inserts.
- Make sure all registers and ducts have unobstructed airflow.
- Close registers in any unused portions of the home.
Posted by Cathy Doucette
on November 18, 2009