7 tips to winterize your home and save energy

Amid severe doom and gloom in world economies, there is at least some light cutting through the darkness: folks are more interested in energy conservation than ever. Since winter is right around the corner, now is the time to make sure you'll save all you can.

To make it easier, we put together 19 ways to save money this heating season and protect your investment, arranged in order of easiest (and least painful) to most difficult and/or costly improvements.

Here's the first 7:


1. Beat the Draft(s)

Worried about the draft? Not military in this case, but air flow. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, drafts can waste 5 to 30% of your energy use. Start simple and adopt that old Great Depression fixture (perhaps a symbol of a new depression?) -- the draft snake.

Place a rolled bath towel or custom-made "snake" across the bottom of leaky doors and windows. Get the kids involved and decorate with googly eyes, felt tongues and the like. You can use any scraps of fabric -- even neckties -- and fill with sand or kitty litter for heft.

Make sure drafts aren't giving your thermostat a false reading too, and read on for more advanced solutions.


2. Change Furnace Filters

Yes it's easy to forget, but it's important to replace or clean furnace filters once a month during the heating season. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use. Here's a worry-saving tip: mark a monthly check on your calendar.

Better, consider switching to a permanent filter, which will reduce waste and hassle. Did you know that disposable fiberglass filters trap a measly 10 to 40% of debris? Electronic filters trap around 88%, and are much better at controlling the bacteria, mold, viruses and pollen that cause illness and irritation. They cost $50 to $1,000 or more.

Another good choice is a genuine HEPA filter, which can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles. HEPA filters are based on Department of Energy standards. But avoid "HEPA-like" filters, which can be vastly less effective.


3. Run Fans in Reverse

Most people only think of fans when they many ceiling units come with a handy switch that reverses the direction of the blades.

Counterclockwise rotation produces cooling breezes while switching to clockwise makes it seem warmer by making an updraft that sends the warmer air pooled near the ceiling back into the living space. This can cut your heating costs as much as 10 percent.


4. Winterize Your A/C and Water Lines

This one's really easy, and it will save you wear and tear on your cooling system, so it can function at tip top shape the next time you need it. Simply drain any hoses and air conditioner pipes, and make sure you don't have excess water pooled in equipment. If your a/c has a water shut-off valve, go ahead and turn that off.

Similarly, make sure any hoses are drained and stowed away neatly. Turn off exterior water spigots. It's also a good idea to seal any water leaks around the place.


5. Turn Down Your Water Heater

While many conventional water heaters are set to 140 degrees F by installers, most households don't need that level, and end up paying for hot water that just sits around, slowly cooling. Lowering the temperature to 120 would reduce your water heating costs by 6 to 10%.

Give it a try. Many people find that tweaking the dial can be addictive, and it's easy to reduce the temperature further to 115 or even lower.

If you start to wonder why you need a tank at all, then you may be ready for a tankless water heater, or go solar.


6. Install Storm Doors and Windows

The simple act of installing a storm door can increase energy efficiency by 45 percent, by sealing drafts and reducing air flow. Storm doors also offer greater flexibility for letting light and ventilation enter your home. Look for http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/latest/892 Energy Star-certified models.

Similarly, storm windows can make a huge difference when the cold wind starts blowing. It may be a pain, but it is well worth it to get them out of the shed or attic and put them up for the season -- and make sure they are all securely shut. They don't do much good if you leave them in the up position by mistake.


7. Give Your Heating System a Tune-Up

You probably already know that cars need periodic tune-ups in order to run their best. Well the same is true for heating equipment. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.

The good news is many utilities offer free annual checkups by qualified technicians -- but you often have to call early, as HVAC crews get backed up once heating season starts. Some furnace manufacturers and dealers also offer free or discounted inspections.

Read more winterization tips below.

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