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The Red Tartan Room
Sep. 11, 2006
Winterizing...
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My new house (built in 1825) has very old, beautiful windows. It also has an old, not-so-beautiful furnace. The weather-stripping around all the exterior doors is shot.
I have some winterizing to do.
I've been doing a lot of research about winterizing and I've made several pleasant discoveries. First, I found out that recent studies have shown that old windows paired with storm windows are almost as efficient as new windows. This was really great news for me because there was no way I was taking out my wavy-glass windows. Second, I found out that roller shades (when hung inside the window casing with gaps no larger than 1/4") increase window efficiency 25-35%! I hate mini-blinds anyway. And finally, I found out that one can find brand new, high quality furnaces on ebay for half-price. We're getting a 96% effecient furnace in a few weeks to replace the 40-year-old clunker that's down there now.
Other things anyone can do to lower their heating bills this year are:
1. Recaulk around the window exteriors. Use silicon caulk for this as it lasts 20-30 years. Latex lasts 5-10 years and construction grade has to be redone every year. Caulk should be applied when outdoor temperatures are 45-50 degrees for minimal cracking.
2. Get insulating foam in a can to seal up any large gaps such as: where the siding meets the foundation, where pipes enter the home, etc.
3. Invest in some weather-stripping and door bumpers to form a tight seal around those doors.
4. Check the depth of your attic insulation.
5. Get some foam gaskets to put inside the electrical outlets on the exterior walls of the home.
If any readers know of additional tips, feel free to post them in the comments section. Fuel costs are high and we all need lower bills.
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Sep. 15, 2006 - Untitled Comment