With summer ending, it’s not too soon to begin looking at ways to keep your heating costs under control this winter. The energy experts at Ameren recommend taking a “whole house” approach.
While the weather is still mild, get out and check caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. If you see signs that it is cracking or wearing out, replace it now. Also check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if it meets the levels recommended for your area.
If you wish to add insulation, the most cost-effective place to start is the attic. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by its R-value, and for homes in the Midwest, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends attic insulation with at rating of R-49.
This is a good time to have your furnace checked, too, because heating and cooling contractors tend to be less busy than if you wait until cold weather arrives.
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According to the U.S. Department of Energy, almost half of U.S. homes have single-pane windows. If yours is one, this is a good time to consider replacing them with modern double-pane windows made with high-performance glass. A window upgrade will not only help pay for itself through future energy savings in both winter and summer but will also boost your home’s resale value.
Visit the Energy Savings Toolkit for more tips. Begin by selecting the Energy Savings Toolkit from the My Home left navigation options. A sign in is required to access the toolkit.
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