Cost Effective Energy Improvements

[janmc]

Yes! Trees! Plant one or two deciduous trees on the south side of the house. When the sun is high in the summer the tree’s canopy blocks the sun from going into the house and keep the house cool. When the leaves are fallen, the sun is low in the winter and it let in the winter sun to warm the house. This is probably the best and simplest and greenest way to keep your house comfortable all year round. Make sure you plant the tree(s) 8-10 ft from the house so that the root system won't damage the foundation of the house.

[lati]

With a small budget, what steps should I take to make my home comfortable and warm in the winter?

[JohnfromIPC]

Cost effective improvements are on the minds of all homeowners as energy costs continue to ride. Insulation, weather stripping and replacing windows are some of the most effective ways to reduce the costs of energy to operate your home. Turning up the temperature in the summer will help the system run less, but it will not keep the home as cool as you desire. For an energy audit, consult a qualified contractor in your area.

[einst]

Seal all those cracks and even little tiny holes. Open the cabinets and look under the sinks. If you see holes where the pipes connected to outside, fill the holes with spray foam which you can buy from any home improvement store. Stuff newspaper and tape it tight can work too. Anything to stop the flowing of air can help. Weather strip around the door and windows. These simple steps you can do it yourself and cost you very little.

[JimK]

Use cellophane to cover your windows and use a hair dryer to blow onto the cellophane to tighten it. It works very well for air infiltration and keep your house warm in the winter.

[Tosca]

How about the clothesline, hang your clothes outside and let them dry by the sun. It's free and smells fresh too.

[dianed]

Drying clothes in the sun is great. Besides saving energy, money, smelling great and fresh, the sun makes your white clothes whiter. And you don't need to use bleach that saves you money too.

[Adan8100]

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[veum]

The past winter, my feet felt very cold as I was working in my kitchen the first time. I ran my hand along the baseboard and I could feel the cold air coming in. Next day, I got some Great Stuff from Home Depot. I removed the baseboard and saw a big gap between the wall and the floor. I sprayed the Great Stuff along the joint between the wall and the floor. Let it dry. Cut the excess foam even up with the wall. Nailed the baseboard back on. No more draft. Wow, what a difference!

[dia]

Ah...I always wonder why my feet are so cold...I'm going to seal mine too...