8 Green Ways to Winterize

While you may equate “green” with the warmer weather, the winter season is perhaps the ideal time to take some green initiatives in and around the house. In many households, the bulk of energy is consumed during the cold-weather months. That’s because heat is often running all day long to keep the home comfortable, heavier clothes are worn, which take longer to wash and dry, less time is spent cooking outdoors and more time is geared around firing up the kitchen stove. Making some changes — in a green way — can be beneficial, especially in terms of monetary savings. Here are a few steps to take. 1. Douse drafts: Drafts can drive up energy usage. Caulk around windows and doors, or consider replacing drafty windows all together if it’s in the budget. There are many energy-efficient options available. Another way to stop drafts is with a “draft snake.” It’s simply any piece of fabric (even a rolled up towel) that’s placed at the bottom of doors to prevent drafts. You can use scraps of fabric, sew them in a tube shape and fill with sand or kitty litter. Kids can customize theirs with eyes and tongues from craft store supplies. 2. Replace furnace filters: Clogged furnace filters compromise the flow of air through the system and can cause the unit to work harder. That equates to more energy use. Replace filters at least once a month. An even greener option is electostatic filters. They trap around 88 percent of debris, and are much better at controlling the bacteria, mold, viruses and pollen that cause illness and irritation. They will be more costly than standard filters, however. 3. Turn down the water heater thermostat: Many thermostats are set to heat the water to 140 F. That level of warmth is often not needed. Turning down the thermostat to 120 F can save considerable energy … and money. 4. Watch the thermostat: Statistics show that for every degree you lower the thermostat during heating season, you’ll save between 1 and 3 percent of your heating bill. Use a programmable thermostat to automatically keep the heat at the desired temperature, whether you’re home or not. 5. Cozy up to save: Keep the thermostat a little lower and dress warmer. A sweater worn around the house can save you money. Also, don’t forget to don slippers or warm socks. A lot of heat is lost through the feet and head. 6. Beef up insulation: Add more insulation to the home and insulate pipes for added energy savings. 7. Switch ceiling fan direction: Enabling ceiling fan blades to spin clockwise will draw warm air trapped near the ceiling down to the living area. This can improve comfort and save money on heating. 8. Use an eco-friendly ice melter: Ice melters typically destroy surrounding vegetation where they are applied and can be harmful to wildlife. Seek out a green product that will be safer for the environment.