7 Winter home improvement tips to save you money and energy in the cold season

Just because we've had record high temperatures in the past several years and general worrisome warming trend doesn't mean that winters are going to get any easier in the Northeast. Now that cold weather is upon us, get your home buttoned up and ready for it with our expert hands-on game plan, which will not only make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, butsave you some money while you're at it. From big changes that will knock hundreds of dollars off your energy bill to smaller ones that need just a bit of elbow grease and a few materials from your local hardware store, we'll show you what you need to get the job done!...<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/7-winter-home-improvement-tips-to-save-you-money-and-energy-in-the-cold-season/'>READ ARTICLE</a>

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, we should mention that the best way to get your home operating at its maximum efficiency is to hire a professional <a href="http://www.bpi.org/standards.aspx">BPI certified</a> energy rater to evaluate your spaces. This person will conduct what's called an "energy audit" and he or she will test your home for energy losses and safety issues, and generate a detailed report highlighting what your home's issues are. With a report in hand you can easily <a href="http://inhabitat.com/6-winter-home-improvement-tips-that-will-save-energy-and-lower-your-bills/">target and prioritize exactly what you need to do</a>, and what you can afford to do.

The mantra in green construction is: “seal it tight, ventilate right”. The sealing part is about getting a handle on all the places where air penetrates through the wall and causes drafts and fluctuations to the temperature inside your home. A simple tube of <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100035980/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&amp;langId=-1&amp;keyword=284425">high quality caulk </a>and a plan to tackle all those problem areas can go a long way if you know where to look (hint: grab your <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100674438/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&amp;langId=-1&amp;keyword=thermometer&amp;storeId=10051#.UGxb2aT-_-G">infrared thermometer</a>).

Other notorious culprits that contribute to air leaks are recessed lights found in the ceiling. Many old can lights are actually vented on purpose to keep from being overheated by the lightbulb (they are called non-IC or non-insulation contact rated cans). Because warm air rises, an unsealed can light below a roof is a big problem. It's a good idea is to remove the existing ring of this can and seal the can's perimeter with caulk. The inside of the can should be sealed with either<a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100035980/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&amp;langId=-1&amp;keyword=284425"> caulk</a> or <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/buy/322-1-57-64-in-x-150-ft-aluminum-foil-tape-3220020500.html">aluminum tape</a> to keep your home's warm air from escaping into the attic.

Anywhere you have something that penetrates the wall, there is bound to be an air leak. Check out the outside faucets, air vents and plumbing for large gaps where air can escape. Seal the penetrations with <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100003351/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&amp;langId=-1&amp;keyword">expanding foam so that every nook and cranny</a> is filled. Be careful to never seal next to a gas flue or you will have a fire hazard on your hands.

Just because we've had record high temperatures in the past several years and general worrisome warming trend doesn't mean that winters are going to get any easier in the Northeast. Now that cold weather is upon us, get your home buttoned up and ready for it with our expert hands-on game plan, which will not only make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, butsave you some money while you're at it. From big changes that will knock hundreds of dollars off your energy bill to smaller ones that need just a bit of elbow grease and a few materials from your local hardware store, we'll show you what you need to get the job done!...<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/7-winter-home-improvement-tips-to-save-you-money-and-energy-in-the-cold-season/'>READ ARTICLE</a>

Before the start of the cold season, it's not a bad idea to tune up your furnace. 30% of an average <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_save_energy_at_home">home’s energy costs</a> are related to heating, and this number can spike further if you have inefficiencies with your furnace or boiler system. The first place to start is by replacing the <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100097345/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&amp;langId=-1&amp;keyword">filter</a> at the beginning of the season and every couple of months while you run the furnace. When purchasing a new filter, note that the cheap ones are made just to protect the furnace fan motor, so make sure to get a more<a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100097345/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&amp;langId=-1&amp;keyword"> efficient and healthy pleated filter</a> for improved air quality.

Windows that are unsuited for a home's local climate can be a big contributor to inefficiency. If you live in an area that gets especially cold in the winter, investing in <a href="http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/window-types">windows</a> with insulated glass that's double-paned or even triple-paned has the potential to transform the comfort of your home and your energy bill.

Just because we've had record high temperatures in the past several years and general worrisome warming trend doesn't mean that winters are going to get any easier in the Northeast. Now that cold weather is upon us, get your home buttoned up and ready for it with our expert hands-on game plan, which will not only make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, butsave you some money while you're at it. From big changes that will knock hundreds of dollars off your energy bill to smaller ones that need just a bit of elbow grease and a few materials from your local hardware store, we'll show you what you need to get the job done!...<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/7-winter-home-improvement-tips-to-save-you-money-and-energy-in-the-cold-season/'>READ ARTICLE</a>

Ok, so you got through the grunt work, now its time to put in some sexy technology to really save some energy. <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Heating-Venting-Cooling-Thermostats-Programmable/h_d1/N-bay9Z5yc1v/h_d2/Navigation?langId=-1&amp;storeId=10051&amp;catalogId=10053&amp;searchNav=true">Programmable thermostats</a> (or t-stats) have gotten a bad rap for being difficult to use, and the<a href="http://www.epa.gov/"> EPA</a> has yanked their <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/">Energy Star</a> designation as a result. However, there are new, much more intuitive designs out there, like the <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-203356032/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&amp;langId=-1&amp;keyword">Wi-Fi enabled Honeywell t-stat</a>. Honeywell's model not only lets you control the device from your iPhone or computer, but it tells you when there are significant temperature swings coming and even when the filter needs to be changed.

Just because we've had record high temperatures in the past several years and general worrisome warming trend doesn't mean that winters are going to get any easier in the Northeast. Now that cold weather is upon us, get your home buttoned up and ready for it with our expert hands-on game plan, which will not only make your home more comfortable and energy efficient, butsave you some money while you're at it. From big changes that will knock hundreds of dollars off your energy bill to smaller ones that need just a bit of elbow grease and a few materials from your local hardware store, we'll show you what you need to get the job done!...<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/7-winter-home-improvement-tips-to-save-you-money-and-energy-in-the-cold-season/'>READ ARTICLE</a>