The air is delightfully crisp today, with a hint of fall.  In Central Oregon the temperatures are slowly dropping and all too soon winter weather will be upon us.  This is the perfect time of year to assess winter heating and determine ways to conserve energy and cost.  The following tips will help homeowners prepare for the cold weather.  Some take only minutes, others require purchasing a few supplies. 

1)      To begin, a home energy audit can be extremely beneficial in determining where your home energy use is inefficient.  Some electric or gas companies offer these audits for free, and sometimes government agencies offer heavy rebates.  Check with your utility providers for more information.   

2)      Install a programmable thermostat, then lower temperatures while you are away at work and at night.  This can create a 10% reduction in heating costs in one season.

3)      Clean or replace your furnace filters.  This will help a furnace run more efficiently.  Disposable filters cost only a few dollars.  Reusable ones can cost up to twenty five dollars.

4)      Turn your water heater down.  The recommended temperature is 120 degrees, but most water heaters are set high above that.  If you have an old water heater, the insulation might be insufficient and you can install a specially designed water heater blanket to maximize efficiency.

5)      Caulk and weather-strip your home.  Seal any cracks around window frames, light switches, and electrical outlets.  Replace old weather-stripping in exterior door frames to create a tight seal.

6)      Keep windows covered when dark.  This prevents heat from escaping trhough the glass. Open up window coverings—especially ones with southern exposure—during the day to absorb sunlight.

7)      Lastly, wear socks around the house.  When your feet are cold, the rest of your body gets cold so as a habit, wear socks around your house

Enjoy the winter, and if you are a Central Oregon resident, enjoy the snow!

 

Sources: money.com, kcc.state.ks.us, realestateinsidernews.com

Bend Premier Real Estate - - Dan Cardot, Broker - - Serving Central Oregon

Dan Cardot, Bend Premier Real Estate

Dan Cardot, Broker
Specializing in Distressed Property Sales

Bend Premier Real Estate
550 NW Franklin Avenue Suite 108, Bend, OR 97701
(541) 480-5291 direct
(541) 323-2779 office
(541) 323-2830 fax

www.bendpremierproperties.com
dancardot.bend@gmail.com

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46 Comments on Home Energy Efficiency Tips

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

SEP
27
2011
729,681 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Dan, good tips for keeping those utility bills down. Thanks.
8:39am • #27

thes are some great tips.  I always forget how much it costs to heat a house right after summer.  then 2 onths later i get he bill and i am shocked.  Just insane
9:30am • #28
137,386 Points 8 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

These are great tips Dan. Especially wearing socks around the house. Once your feet are warm, the rest of your body is automatically warm. Thanks for sharing Dan.
10:04am • #29
231,678 Points 8 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great tips for being energy efficient. This summer has been crazy and the bills are crazy too.
10:06am • #30

Hey Dan, I'm with you on the socks thing! Mind you I had buyers recently move into their new home where the sellers had over enthusiastically polished the floor. One of the buyers was walking around in socks on their first day, slipped on the shiny floor and hit her head. Now she has a scar on her forehead that Harry Potter would be jealous of! She now wears those socks they give you in hospitals which have little rubber pads on the soles for traction. Studded tires for winter and studded socks year round!

 
10:24am • #31
119,766 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Very good tips for all. Thanks.
10:41am • #32
229,116 Points 1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

I'm thinking of moving to Hawaii instead. No socks ever again!
11:23am • #33

I had an energy audit done at my house a couple of years ago. They did the weather stripping, caulking, and put insulation in switches and outlets.  They checked the ductwork for leaks and talked to me about insulation for the attic and replacement window advantages. They caulked around all the plumbing lines in the house.  The bonus I didn't expect was a reduction in  bugs.  All those tiny areas around window and water lines were access points for small unwelcome crawlers.  I am saving for windows.  Thank you for sharing your list.
12:30pm • #34
137,078 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Great tips.  With winter coming on, this is great info for us all.
12:32pm • #35
113,361 Points

Our local power co-op offers them for free. I think I want to take advantage of this. Thanks for the reminder.
12:53pm • #36
195,687 Points Outside Blog

Timely reminder and good tips for anyone except those who live in Oahu.
12:57pm • #37
111,058 Points 1 Featured Post

And all good tips for anyone putting their home on the market this winter.  You'll be warmer and one jump ahead of the inspector.  . 

 

 
3:26pm • #38
SEP
28
2011
661,919 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

We also make sure that we have some extra fleece to throw on on a chilly evening...  
3:29am • #39
1,156,673 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hello Dan and a great post, and featured by the AR GODS ... (Bonus)! When I lived in Portland Oregon many moons ago we use to hike around the rivers & mountains close to Bend, very beautiful area ...

VB ;o)
2:06pm • #40
496,611 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Dan, Nice list
4:22pm • #41

Great advice!! Thanks for posting these great tips!

Soldotna Real Estate
6:09pm • #42
1,023,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I like burning a nice wood fireplace, but the Green Nazi's are putting an end to that sort of thing.
6:20pm • #43
SEP
30
2011

Dan - thanks for the tips. Agree with Gene's comment, they create havock in Australia as well. Best. Peter
Peter Michelbach
4:27am • #44
OCT
03
2011
1 Featured Post

Gene,

I was driving up in the Cascade mountains the other day and there were probably 100 pickup trucks lining the road because a section had been opened for wood gathering.  It appears a lot of people like a good wood fire!

Dan
1:04pm • #45
OCT
28
2011
127,939 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

good tips
11:06pm • #46

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Dan Cardot

Bend, OR

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