Tehama County Real Estate
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/53138
Tehama Country Real Estate – 3 Put these home improvements on your 2012 calendar annual high, the potential benefits of mak- ing 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: W Winter * Install affordable plastic window-seal- ing kits, especially where you feel drafts. * Install foam gaskets behind electrical outlets and switches to reduce air leakage. * Close the fireplace damper tightly when it's not in use. If you use your fireplace reg- ularly, consider adding a well-designed insert. * Replace or clean furnace filters at least once every three months. Spring * Consider larger home improvements, like replacing windows that are best com- pleted when the weather is nice. Consider adding spray foam insulation (like innova- 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 per- cent in energy costs all year long. * Is your air condi- tioner old or on its last legs? Before things heat up, con- sider investing in an energy efficient Ener- gy Star-rated unit. Consult an expert to ensure the size of the unit is properly matched to the needs of your home. ith the deepfreeze factor at its Summer * Add window coverings to block sun- light during the day, so your air condition- er doesn't have to work as hard. * Replace inefficient incandescent lighting with more efficient compact fluorescent or LED lighting that also produce less heat. * Check your hot water tank. If it's warm to the touch, it might need some extra insu- lation. 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-strip- ping 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.