Tehama County Real Estate
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/247867
Tehama Country Real Estate – PUT THESE HOME IMPROVEMENT S ON YOUR 2014 CALENDAR W ith the deepfreeze factor at its annual high, the potential benefits of making energy saving improvements really hit home. Yet saving energy and money and adding comfort to your home should always be in season. Industry experts at Icynene (icynene.com) recommend you put these home improvement tips on your 2012 calendar: tive Icynene) to your attic or in other areas of your home where the summer heat can infiltrate. You can start saving up to 50 percent in energy costs Winter * Install affordable plas- all year long. tic window-sealing kits, especially where you feel * Is your air conditioner old or on its last legs? drafts. Before things heat up, * Install foam gaskets consider investing in an behind electrical outlets energy efficient Energy and switches to reduce Star-rated unit. Consult an expert to ensure the air leakage. size of the unit is proper* Close the fireplace ly matched to the needs damper tightly when it's of your home. not in use. If you use your fireplace regularly, Summer consider adding a well- * Add window coverings to block sunlight designed insert. during the day, so your * Replace or clean fur- air conditioner doesn't nace filters at least once have to work as hard. every three months. * Replace inefficient incandescent lighting Spring * Consider larger home with more efficient comimprovements, like pact fluorescent or LED replacing windows that lighting that also proare best completed when duce less heat. the weather is nice. Consider adding spray foam * Check your hot water insulation (like innova- tank. If it's warm to the touch, it might need some extra insulation. Check your home improvement store for inexpensive pre-cut tank jackets or blankets. Fall * Check insulation levels where you can, like the attic or the floor of a room over the garage. If you didn't get to it in the spring, install spray foam insulation to seal around openings and penetrations that let air flow in and out of your home. * Use caulking, sealant and weather-stripping to create a barrier against air and water around doorframes, windows and baseboards. Choose the right caulking for the surface. * Insulate your hot water pipes to reduce heat loss. It may enable you to reduce the temperature setting on your hot water tank. 3