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YS TO
                                                             5 WA
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                                                                    this Winter







                                                                                   BY LIZ MCGEHEE


                                                                  There are a million ways    Turn your water heat-
                                                                  to make your home energy  3. er down to 120 F.
                                                                  efficient for the winter, and   Unless you want to get
                                                                  now is the time to start.   burned by your faucet and
                                                                                          your energy company, turn
                                                                     Insulate and replace   the temperature down.
                                                                 1. worn sealant.  You’ve   Also, if you use the hot or
                                                                  probably got a good idea   warm water setting to wash
                                                                  of which rooms have     clothes, consider switching
                                                                  poor insulation in your   it to cold.
                                                                  home by now.  Rooms
                                                                  with large windows and      Invest in a smart ther-
                                                                  doors leading outside   4. mostat. Use technol-
                                                                  are typically the primary   ogy to your advantage and
                                                                  culprits.  To address this,   install a smart thermostat.
                                                                  you should tape clear   These automatically cut off
                                                                  plastic wrap on the inside   the heat while you’re gone
                                                                  of windows to prevent   and save you money. Some
                                                                  heat loss.  An alternative   of the pricier models ac-
                                                                  to this is a heavy set   tually learn your schedule
                                                                  of drapes.  Consider    and can be adjusted from
                                                                  replacing weathered     anywhere through smart-
                                                                  seals around doors and   phone apps.
                                                                  windows too. You can also
                                                                  seal heating and cooling    Get your central heat
                                                                  ducts. While you’re at it,  5. cleaned.  This is some-
                                                                  check for disconnected   thing you should do every
              Fall is here, but                                   ductwork and duct leaks.   couple of years. The last
                                                                                          thing you want mid-win-
          there’s an icy breeze                                   2. This should be done   ter is to be stuck in an
                                                                     Change your air filter.
                                                                                          icebox for days waiting for
              on the horizon.                                     every three months regard-  someone to come out and
                                                                                          fix the heat. Don’t let it get
                                                                  less of the season.  Dirty
           Winter is coming.                                      filters make your central   to that point. Hire some-
                                                                                          one to give your heating a
                                                                  heat (and AC) work much
           Are you prepared?                                      harder.                 tune-up.


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