Winter proofing your home

As GTA residents, we're accustomed to long

Canadian winters and the changes in lifestyle

they bring. Whether it's purchasing winter

tires, warm clothing, or tickets to Florida, each of us

personally prepares for the season. And while having

your scarf and toque will certainly help you survive the

cold, Ontarians, and homeowners in particular, have more

to worry about.

Come autumn's end, winter-proofing your residence

should be a top priority. Adequate preparation from the

cold will reduce potential damage, keep your home

comfortable, and save you significant costs in energy bills.

Many important steps are involved in fully preparing

your home for winter. Of these steps, sealing your home

is the most cost-effective and efficient approach. Proper

sealing eliminates common problems such as increased

gas and energy bills, cold drafts entering the home,

and moisture issues, which are potentially damaging to

wallpaper, furniture, and windows. Energy Star, a leader

in energy efficiency, has outlined the more important

considerations when sealing your home:

• Insulate your attic hatch to prevent warm air escaping

  from the top of your home.

• Seal any holes, whether they're electrical or plumbing

  related, that lead from the attic to the house.

• Use spray foam in areas where pipes, wires, and vents

  exit the walls. Be sure to check underneath sinks as well.

• Use colour-matched latex caulk for door and window

  frames and use a stronger version for exterior purposes.

• Use foam gaskets around electrical outlets to reduce

  drafts.

Home sealing reinforces the skeleton of your home

to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from

escaping. However, well-informed individuals will also

take the time to prepare major appliances and utilities.

This is a vital process that will have a huge impact on

monthly bills and preventing unnecessary maintenance

expenditures. Here's more Energy Star advice:

• Replace your furnace's air filter before the heating
  season begins. A dirty filter will reduce air flow, which

  makes your system work harder. Cover the filter slot

  with a piece of wide tape to keep air from getting in

  around filter edges without passing through the filter.

• If your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old,

  consider Energy Star-qualified replacements. New

  equipment has advanced technology to deliver higher

  efficiency, which will deliver the greatest savings.

• Make sure your ducts are delivering all the warm air they
  can. If seams are visible where your ducts adjoin, seal

  them with shiny foil tape with a UL-181 label or duct

  mastic (also called duct sealant).
• If you have ducts that run into the attic or through a cold
  basement or crawl space, be sure they're well insulated.
• Set back your thermostat when you're asleep or away.
  When used properly, an Energy Star programmable

  thermostat with temperature and time settings can save

  you $100 per year on energy costs.
• Call a heating contractor to service your system. Fall is a
  great time for a technician to check that your heating

  system is running properly to keep you warm without

  adding unnecessary costs.

The cold months can be a trying time, but with

adequate preparation, you can significantly reduce the

stress of high bills. Be prepared and you won't regret it.

To learn more about Energy Star or discover

other valuable tips for winter-proofing your home, visit

www.energystar.gov today.

Look for part 2 of our winterizing tips in an upcoming

issue of NDHC.