While winter temperatures in the Portland area aren’t usually frigid, it still gets quite chilly. Heat loss in your home can cost you this winter not only in terms of comfort, but in the form of higher energy bills as well. If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to winterize your home.
What Can You Do to Prevent Heat Loss?
- If you have a forced-air heating system, change the air filter. You’ve heard this time and time again, but it’s important. Dust and other debris that collects on the air filter prevents warm air from flowing freely through your HVAC system, and also introduces dust into your home, aggravating asthma, allergies and other respiratory problems.
- Insulate exposed pipes. Starting at the water heater, inspect all pipes that lead away from the heater; this is especially important when the water heater is located in an unfinished area that lacks insulation.
- Inspect heating vents. Grates or vents in the floor naturally catch dirt and dust, and can build up with cobwebs, preventing proper airflow. Give them a good cleaning.
- Check joints around windows and doors. Leaks in windows and doors are often a source of substantial heat loss. Loose seals allow cold air to seep in and conditioned air to escape. Seal any leaks using caulk or weatherstripping, depending on the situation.
- Take a look around the exterior of your home. Deteriorated wood, cracks, holes in the siding or insulation that has split or shrunk around pipes or outlets could mean warm air is escaping your home.
- Consider an insulating blanket for your water heater. By wrapping your water heater, you could reduce energy usage by as much as 10 percent. If you have a newer water heater, this probably isn’t necessary, since they come pre-insulated.
- Perform a roof inspection. Tile or shingles that are cracked or completely missing mean another place where warm air can escape. If you see a potential problem, crawl into the attic to determine how things look from the inside.
Ready to learn more about heat loss and what you can do to keep your home warm and toasty this winter season? Please contact us at (503) 266-1249, a leader in the home comfort industry for more than three decades.
