Home Energy Conservation

Things To Do This Week

Now that you have performed the steps listed in the basic checklist, it is time to move on. The first thing you should do this week to make your home more energy efficient is purchase and install any items left from the To Do Today checklist.

Checklist

1. Caulk leaky windows. Windows that leak allow cold or hot air to escape from the house. This makes your furnace and air conditioner work harder to keep the home at the desired temperature. To test for air leaks around windows, light an incense stick and pass it over the window seams. If the smoke travels horizontally, there is a leak. If you need advice on caulking, check out About.Com's guide to home repair. His advice on caulking can be found here.
   
2. Assess your home's heating and cooling systems. You are looking for parts that may need to be replaced or upgraded. If performing this assessment is easier said than done, you can find a great resource here that explains how to perform this audit.