When it comes to using energy wisely, don't forget the
outside of your home.
Take this test: If a playing card fits the crevice of
an outside door or window, you need more weather stripping. Caulk and weather-strip
to stop air leaks around windows, doors, exhaust fans and any other place
where wires or pipes pass through walls. Replace any caulk that has cracks
or is no longer soft.
You can install storm and/or replacement windows, but
they may not be the best use of your energy improvement dollars because
of their high cost and long payback. A low-cost alternative is 6-mil plastic, which you can use to "make"
storm windows. Be sure to stretch it as tightly as you can. If you use these
homemade storm windows on the inside of your regular windows and attach them
carefully, they can last through several seasons. You can also find homemade
kits at home improvement stores.
Keep out winter air by covering your window air conditioners
tightly on the inside with thick plastic or special air conditioner covers.
Weather-strip around the units to block drafts.
Cover bare ground beneath your home with a vapor barrier
to keep moisture from getting into your home. Polyethylene sheets work well.
Since a third of your air conditioner's energy is spent removing moisture,
vapor barriers can make a noticeable dent in your energy bills.
If you have a crawlspace, open your foundation vents each
spring and close them each fall.
Planning to replace your roof? Consider roofing materials
with reflective coatings and/or choose light-colored roofing to greatly
reduce heat absorption.
Landscaping: Carefully plan your landscaping to help to reduce your energy costs and increase
indoor comfort.
Plant deciduous trees like oak, maple, gum, ash and dogwood.
They lose their leaves in the winter, letting the sun through to warm your
home. In summer, their leaves shade your home. Plant shade trees to the south,
since that side gets the most sun.
Evergreens are effective for blocking wind. Plant them
in a staggered or double line to the northwest of your home.
Smaller foundation plants can minimize the loss of cool
air away from the house in summer and, in winter, provide additional wind
protection.
