Home Weatherizing Tips for Renters and Owners

The winter season is a drag on your energy bill, but there ways to make heating your home more efficient even if you’re a renter. We chatted with Denise Durrett from EPA’s Energy Star for tips and tricks on how renters and owners can prep for the winter.

1. Schedule a home energy check-up

Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating system failure, according to the EPA. It’s best to call in a professional at the start of the cool-weather season to make sure everything is in working order. Regular check-ups are especially vital if your heating system is more than 10 years old, says EPA’s Denise Durrett.

“In the fall, you’ll want to get a contractor to come in to check your system to make sure that it’s working properly so that you’re prepared for the winter,” says Durrett. “The last thing you’ll want to have to do is call the contractor when it’s freezing cold and your system has broken down on you because there was not maintenance of it.”

The contractor will check the thermostat settings to make sure your heating system turns on and off at the programmed temperature. He or she will also tighten any electrical connections, measure your voltage, lubricate moving parts and verify system control safety for a worry-free winter.

2. Maintain your heating equipment

A contractor will verify that your heating system is in working order for the season, but it’s up to you to maintain it during the winter months. Make sure the exterior of your heating system is free of dirt and obstructions, and change your air filter often for maximum efficiency.

Durrett recommends checking your air filter every month and changing it as needed. At minimum, your filter should be changed every three months to increase energy efficiency and reduce the risk of system failure.

3. Fix those leaks!

“One of the No. 1 things that we recommend people do is to check their homes for leaky ducts and air sealing issues,” Durrett says.

Install a door sweep or weather stripping on all exterior doors, and search your home for other air leaks. The most common problem areas are ceilings, floors, around window and door frames and around air registers, Durrett says.

If you think that outside air is coming in around window or door frames, Durrett suggests lightly holding a piece of paper next to the suspected leak. If the paper moves, you’ve got a leak. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal it up.

If one area of your floor is especially cold, you may have an insulation problem in your basement. Go downstairs and check the basement ceiling for areas where insulation is missing. You may need to call in a professional to fix the problem.

And don’t forget your air registers! The areas where air registers meet floors, walls and ceilings are some of the most common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork. If the area around your air registers is not well sealed, use some caulk to close up the leaks for more efficient heating. If it appears that the inner ductwork may be disconnected, call in a licensed professional to take a look.

4. Use a programmable thermostat

Control your home’s temperature while you are away or asleep by using a programmable thermostat. Durrett suggests pre-setting the temperature to about 60 degrees during the work day and programming the thermostat to reach your desired temperature about an hour before you get home for a “warm welcome.”

If used properly, programmable thermostats can save you up to $180 per year in energy costs, according to the EPA.

5. Redecorate for energy savings

Take a moment to do a little energy-saving feng shui around your home. Make sure all air registers are completely free of obstruction. If you have furniture or drapery positioned directly in front of an air register, the heat will not circulate into your room as well – which could lead you to unnecessarily crank up the thermostat.

Try to leave at least a foot of space around your air registers for maximum efficiency. And if you have a fireplace, make sure the flue damper is closed tightly when not in use. Otherwise, heated air can easily escape the house.

For personalized energy-saving information that is specific to your area, check out Energy Star’s Home Advisor. Just type in your zip code, answer a few quick questions about your home and you’ll get a list of tips created just for you.

SEE: Home Weatherizing Tips for Renters