The days are getting shorter and cooler and the barbecues are winding down for the year. Summer is almost over and with the fall and winter months just around the corner, Colorado residents may be anticipating a dramatic increase in their utilities bills. However, weatherizing your home can save you substantially when it comes to those energy bills.
The Energy Resource Center helps Southern Colorado families winterize their homes. We provide free home energy audit to income-qualified families and fee services for those who don’t qualify.
Of course, you might also be able to weatherize on your own. Here are a few tips to help you weatherize your Colorado home yourself.
Make sure heating appliances are ready.
An old and inefficient heater or a dirty home furnace can result in a lot of wasted money on high heating bills. Keep your furnace and furnace filters clean, updated and running efficiently.
Monitor and seal places where cold air seeps in.
Keeping the windows closed in the winter months won’t keep out all of the drafts. There may be all kinds of nooks and crannies where wind can breeze in, costing you money as you try to combat the cold by pumping up the thermostat a few extra degrees. Here are a few places where the wintery Colorado air might seep in:
- Windows and doors – These are usually the spots consumers think about when they think of drafts. Weatherizing your windows and doors can bring your energy bill down quite a bit.
- Breaks in the wall – Aside from cracks, keep an eye out for areas where electrical lines and pipes come into the house. Gaps around these can allow drafts in. Laundry rooms, bathrooms and kitchens are common areas for these types of leaks. Caulking gaps can help keep out the cold.
- Attics, basements and crawlspaces – It may be hard to know where the draft is coming from if it arrives through one of these cramped areas that homeowners don’t generally frequent. Look for any spots that might be allowing in a breeze and have them sealed.
If you aren’t sure where to start, you don’t have the time or you simply need to make sure you don’t miss anything when you weatherize your home, contact a professional.
Schedule a Colorado Home Energy Audit
A home energy audit gives homeowners an idea of where the problem energy-loss areas of their houses might be and how to fix them. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, energy-efficiency upgrades put in place after a home audit may save homeowners up to 30 percent on their energy bills. That kind of energy savings may make the holiday season a little brighter.
Contact the Energy Resource Center and schedule a home energy audit. Our experts provide free services to income-qualified residents of El Paso, Elbert, Douglas, Fremont and Teller counties, and fee services to those who don’t qualify. Our technicians can perform an energy audit and do the winterization work.