It’s always great to find that by doing one task, you have solved several problems. There are some things that you can do for your home that will help you out in several home maintenance categories. This one is simple, easy, cheap, and will save you more money than you can imagine. Energy cost savings are worth the small amount of extra effort, and saving money while adding comfort and safety, well, that is great!

Seal your home for energy cost savings!

It is that simple. It will save you money on energy loss, but it can also save you money when it comes to pest control, allergies, and other health issues, and cleaning products as well. If some of this sounds familiar to you, it is because many of the methods, and techniques used for home energy cost savings are the same ones used for pest prevention and pest control. By sealing your home, you kill at least 2 birds with 1 stone.

Start by sealing your homes exterior

Doors and windows

Start by caulking around door and window frames check and replace all window and door weatherstripping including door sweeps. If you can see light under your door, or around your door, it is time to replace it.

Lines and pipes

Check all electric line, communication cable, and plumbing entrances into your home, and caulk, or otherwise seal them.

Seal inside your home

Perform the same tasks you performed outside your home, inside your home. Each entrance from the outside will have a corresponding exit to the inside. Check them all, and seal them all.

Sealing and insulation

Insulated windows

If your windows are single pain glass, it would be a good idea to replace them with updated energy cost saving windows. They will pay for themselves in short order with the energy you save.

Home made insulated windows

If for some reason you are unable to do so, you can have Plexiglas cut to the dimensions of the inside of your finished window frames, add some weather stripping material between the window frame and the Plexiglas, place the Plexiglas against the window frame, and use trim to seal these in place for relief during extremely hot or cold periods. Watch for excess condensation, and any signs of mold or mildew, and remove periodically for air drying if humidity is a problem in your area.

Attic and wall insulation

A little more insulation can often add up to a lot of energy cost savings.

Attic insulation

Check your attics insulation, and add more if needed. The standard rule of thumb for determining the need for attic insulation is: If the insulation is below the level of the ceiling joists, you need more. Just poke your head into the attic, and see if you can see the ceiling joists. If you can’t, you are alright. If you can, you should add more.

Wall insulation

Wall insulation is a little more difficult to determine. If you live in a newer home, you probably have sufficient insulation in the walls. If you live in a much older home, you should check to see if any insulation is present. There is a simple and relatively easy way to determine if your walls are insulated. Get a flashlight, and a screwdriver,  turn off the electricity, remove a wall plug, check for insulation in the wall cavity. Be careful to replace the wall outlet properly before turning the breaker on. This only needs to be checked in the outside walls.

Attic ventilation

If the system cannot remove heat during the hot season, it will retain heat, causing excessive energy consumption. If it allows heat to dissipate during the winter, it will allow excessive energy consumption. Make sure that any electrical or mechanical components are working properly. If you have a rotary vent that will not rotate, it should be repaired or replaced. If the vents are operated thermostatically, and the system is not functioning properly, it can be less efficient than a static system.

Following these steps will increase the energy efficiency of your home, and increase the energy cost savings, and because your home will be well sealed it should lower the population of pests inside the home, which will save you money on pest control.

For more money saving tips see: Saving Money At Home Money Saving Tips

Note: EPA estimates that homeowners can typically save up to 20% of heating and cooling costs…by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists.