Page 10 - Home Garden Decorator 7 - Northshore
P. 10
YS TO
5 WA
Save$
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.
10 home garden DECORATOR