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Guide For Winterizing Your Home To Save Money

Old man winter and it deadly cold temperatures can bring havoc on the home itself and every member in it. Everyone is concerned about making sure the home is warm and the energy costs are at an all-time low so that the money you saved by getting a good price on your metal building does not go out the window when the cold weather comes. Most people do not like frosty windowpanes and iced over roads, but it is a season that must be endured.

Keeping a metal building kit warm can have its own challenges; especially in older kits. Drafts and windows that are not properly sealed can cause a great deal of energy loss. There are many things that the homeowner can do to make sure their home is ready for the winter season.

1. Most people are surprised to learn that they can lose as much as 30% of their energy through doors and windows. Drafts are a big problem in the winter. To get rid of the winter wind whistling through the door, caulking or weather stripping can do the trick.

2. The HVAC system is the most important system in the home. Just like a vehicle an HVAC unit needs a tune up. A professional can make sure all fluids and at proper levels and coils are clean and ready for the winter season.

3. The windows are always a big problem. If the home is not lucky enough to have double panned, or storm windows, opt for plastic winterization kits. These kits can be found at a local hardware store and are perfect for sealing out the chilly blasts.

4. Freezing pipes are a big concern for most homes. Everyone has had an experience with a frozen pipe at some point or another. Insulating pipes is a small expense that can save the homeowner a great deal of money. The foam insulation is economical; however, a broken pipe is an vast expense.

5. A fireplace is a wonderful addition to the home, especially in the colder months. Having a professional inspection to make sure there are no build ups and fire hazards is important. A fireplace is a wonderful asset to help with utility costs.

6. Insulation can save a great deal of money. If the home is older there may not even be any insulation. By adding R-15 to attic spaces, and adding insulation where this is none, can potentially save a great deal in lost energy through the roof.

7. Most are surprised to learn that 45% of energy can be lost from storm doors. Checking for broken window panes or a storm door that does not seal can be beneficial in the savings game.

8. Hot air rises and many people do not think of energy lost through the roof. Check for missing shingles or weak spots in the roof. This is also a great time to clean out any gutters, which could have gotten plugged with leaves and debris.

9. The outside water spigots can be one of the first things to freeze. Because this line is outside, it has a greater chance of freezing than a line that is inside. Most are equipped with shut offs, just be sure to drain it as well.

10. A furnace filter can remove 99.97% of air particles from the home. It is important to keep the HVAC system running efficiently, to change these filters often. When a filter becomes plugged, they can drastically reduce the energy efficiency of the unit.

When old man winter comes knocking at the door make sure that your door and your home are protected. It takes a little bit of time and money, but can save a great deal in the long run. It is easy to keep the family warm and utility bills down with just a little bit of work.

Resources

Top 5 Tips To Sell Your House After Bad Weather
Missman Metal Building Kit Information
Green Construction Building Options
Lake Arrowhead Views
Building Kits
Building Guides For Metal Buildings
Honeywell Management
Steel Building Guide Resources
Viewpoint Skylights Preparing Your Home For Bad Weather
 Buying Guide


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Author:buildingsguide(Steel Buildings Guide)
From the typical arched Quonset hut style steel buildings , to custom designed plans, BuildingsGuide.com offers you a full range of pre-fabricated building plans and wealth of information and resource...
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