Cold weather has settled into the River Region, and our nighttime temperatures are continuing to drop. Here are a few steps you can take to ease the strain on your wallet as you combat the winter chill.
First things first: if you haven’t already had one performed on your home, you should definitely look into a home energy audit. One effective way to discover how much energy (and money) is seeping through your windows and door jambs is to have a professional come and show you. Read our article to learn more about home energy audits.
Weatherize and Save
The Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy initiative includes a Weatherization Assistance Program that has helped weatherize the homes of over six million families in the past three decades. This program allows low-income households to “permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.” For more information on this program, visit the DOE website.
Invest in Energy Reduction
Making room in your budget for improvements can result in a huge savings over time. For example, spray foam insulation for your attic space can significantly reduce your energy bills. Just a few leaks can account for over half your heating and cooling costs. For information on spray foam and alternative types of insulation, visit This Old House online.
Smart Move
If you passed your energy audit with flying colors, there are still little changes you can make to keep your home cozy this winter. Purchase a few draft-blockers to go underneath your exterior doors to keep the cold air from flowing in. If you have a digital thermostat, program the temperature using a timer so that it lowers the heat while you’re at work but raises just before you get back to a warm home.
ARC Energy Audit Discount for MAX Members
ARC Energy Consulting offers MAX members a special $25 discount in the price of its energy audit. If you are interested in having an energy audit completed on your home, contact Chris Lawrenson at ARC Energy Consulting at 334.386.0366 or by email at energyaudit@arccservices.com, and be sure to mention that you are a MAX member.
