Cover from the Costs of Cold

Feel that icy chill run down your neck? If it’s not the first sting of Old Man Winter rounding the bend, then it’s the fear that grips you upon realizing how expensive it will be to heat your home when he arrives. But there are ways to stave off high utility bills and keep your abode at a comfortable temperature this cold season, provided you do your homework, the experts say.

“This winter, consumers will spend considerably more to heat their homes, with increase ranging from 9 percent to 36 percent, depending on the fuel used,” says Rozanne Weissman, director of communications and marketing for the Alliance to Save Energy, Washington, D.C.

Consider also that the Insurance Information Institute reports that winter storms are the third largest cause of catastrophes, resulting in approximately $1 billion in insured losses annual. Ice dams, burst pipes, snow loads and melting snow typically account for the costliest claims.

“While there are many reasons to prepare your home for colder months, four major ones lead the pack,” says John Eggenberger, vice president of training and corporate development for repair service Mr. Handyman in Ann Arbor, Mich. “First, you want a comfortable dwelling for you and your family. An ill-prepared home will be drafty and chilly. Secondly, with rising fuel costs, everyone is concerned about heating and utility bills. An unprepared home loses heat quickly, which means the furnace will run more frequently.”

Third, Eggenberger says, “a growing number of people and companies are adopting an environmentally friendly approach to life and business. Running your furnace for longer periods of time due to a drafty home uses more natural gas, electricity or fuel oil. A ‘green’ home is well-sealed and insulated, using far less of these precious resources.”

The fourth reason pertains to the “health” and longevity of your home, he says. “Drafty windows can lead to condensation build-up on the interior panes, and this moisture can rot wooden frames and sills. Poorly insulated attics can allow heat to escape from the living quarters, melting snow on the roof and leading to roof dams: a backup of water that will surely find its way into your house. And poorly insulated exterior walls can lead to frozen - then burst - pipes.”

The Alliance to Save Energy recommends starting with the shell of your home first by sealing all exterior cracks and providing adequate insulation before concentrating on the inside.

“Check your home’s first line of defense against the elements: the walls, floors, roof, windows and doors,” Weissman says. “Start by sealing leaks between doors and frames with weather stripping, and fill leaks between window frames and walls with caulking.”

Dave Walton, director of Home Ideas for Direct Energy, a Houston-based energy provider, says that heat loss could be significant if your home’s insulation levels are below the recommended minimum. Attic insulation should be at least 12 inches thick and basement insulation at least four inches thick (choose insulation with an R-value appropriate for your climate). Fill in gaps in insulation between pipes, ductwork and chimneys, and be sure there is an appropriate vapor barrier under your attic insulation. Check to see that you have sufficient insulation within your exterior walls, floors and crawl spaces, too.

“You can insulate walls by using blown-in cellulose insulation,” says Jeff Wilson, a former homebuilder and frequent host on the DIY Network and HGTV. “You can either do this yourself with rented equipment from any home center or by hiring a pro.”

To prevent ice dams, “make sure the attic is well-insulated and no more than 10 degrees warmer than the outside air,” says Wendy Rose, spokesperson for the Institute for Business and Home Safety, Tampa Bay, Fla.

Rose says that it’s also important to ensure that gutters and drains in basement stairwells are clear of leaves and that window wells are working properly. Additionally, remove garden hoses from outside spigots and drain outdoor faucets when freezing temperatures are forecast.

Your property’s outdoor surfaces should also be cleaned and waterproofed, including wood decks, fences and siding and concrete patios and driveways. If not, they’ll absorb water over the course of the winter, leading to cracks and other damage, says Wilson.

Consider replacing your older windows with ENERGY STAR-rated windows featuring double panes and low-E coatings to increase energy efficiency and reduce your heating costs up to 20 percent, Weissman says. In fact, look for the ENERGY STAR label whenever it’s time to replace heating and cooling systems, appliances, lighting fixtures and other products.

When it’s time to step inside, focus first on the furnace. Heating can account for almost half of the average family’s winter energy bill, says Weissman. “Make sure your furnace or heat pump receives a professional tuneup each year. And clean or replace your forced-air heating system’s air filters once a month to help your unit run more efficiently,” she says.

Walton says that a programmable thermostat also can help you save money. “Typically, lowering the temperature just 3 degrees Fahrenheit will reduce heating costs by 10 to 15 percent.”

Don’t lower that thermostat too far, however. It’s essential to maintain a proper heat level inside your home - at least 65 degrees - to prevent pipes inside walls from freezing, says Rose.

To further ensure snug temps, change the direction of airflow on your ceiling fans, says Walton. “In the winter, the blades should operate in a clockwise direction, helping to push the warm air from the ceiling down into the room.”

What’s more, you can use the power of the sun to help heat your home by keeping blinds or drapes of sun-exposed windows open in the daytime and closed at night to conserve heat, Weissman says.

Rose says that many of these steps should be completed prior to the end of autumn but before the first freeze warning. Most can be undertaken by homeowners, although some may require an experienced professional, especially for furnace maintenance.