Winter tips to stay warm and save energy
Winters in Vermont are long and cold, and heating bills can be a strain on your budget. Get ready for winter, lower your monthly bills, and increase the comfort of your living or work space. If winter is already underway, don't worry. You can do this work at any time.
If you own a fireplace, close the damper when there isn't a fire. An open fireplace damper pulls warm air out of your house, so be sure to close it once ashes have gone cold.
Clean or replace your heating system filters every few months to improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Consult the manual for the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule.
Dust or vacuum radiators, baseboard heaters, and furnace duct openings, and be sure not to block them with furniture, carpets, or drapes.
An annual pre-winter tune-up helps your water heater, furnace or boiler run more efficiently and last longer.
A professional home energy assessment is the best way to pinpoint where your home needs air sealing and insulation, and how much it requires.
Stop drafts with weather-stripping and caulking. Seal gaps and cracks with caulking, weather-strip windows and doors, and fill any large gaps in basement crawl spaces, dryer vents, windows, and foundations.
- Storm windows will make your home more energy-efficient
- Creates air space that decreases heat loss
- Keeps outside air from seeping in and protect your windows and doors from storm damage
- Acts as an air barrier to decrease infiltration if your primary window is leaky
- Check out our How To to learn how to install your own
