Homes are big electricity consumers, and therefore big contributors to the release of pollutants into the air. The US Department of Energy provides funding to weatherize houses that meet certain requirements. Find out how to weatherize your Washington home and save big on heating expenses.

Weatherizing your home has several advantages. The most obvious is a reduction in your heating expenses – by up to a third. You\’ll be more comfortable as well, since weatherizing regulates your home\’s temperature and keeps out contaminants in the air. It also keeps out bugs and dust for a cleaner living space.

Seal all cracks and gaps in the home. That includes interior and exterior openings, such as joints between the floor and wall, between the ceiling and wall, and between doors/windows and walls. Also seal any openings where telephone wiring, TV cables, electrical wiring and piping enters the house. If you have any broken or cracked windows, seal them with film (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization?product_id=326) before caulking. Before deciding how to weatherize your Washington home, look at the various types of caulking on the market – some are more suited to certain applications than others. Silicone caulk (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization?product_id=308) is useful due to its elasticity and moisture resistance. For larger areas, use low-expansion foam (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization?product_id=488). Foam can be tricky to use at first because of its ability to expand, but offers excellent insulation. Make sure surfaces are clean and dry before caulking, and avoid working in cold weather, unless expressly stated by the manufacturer. Get a draft stopper (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization?product_id=317) for your doors to cover the gaps where you cannot caulk. If you have a pet, you can replace your regular pet flap with an energy efficient pet door (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization/energy-efficient-pet-door). For your attic, consider installing an insulated access door (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization?product_id=499). These replace your regular pull-down attic ladders with an energy efficient version. Alternatively, get an attic stair cover (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization?product_id=498).

Seal air ducts. These can account for a fifth of heat lost in your home. Mastic duct sealer (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization/Mastic%20Duct%20Sealer) is the best option, as regular tape is unsuitable. Install a dryer vent seal (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization/clothes-dryer-vent-seal) to stop cool air from blowing through your clothes dryer duct into your home.

Seal recessed lights. Also, place draft stopper gaskets (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization?product_id=316) behind electrical outlets and switch trim plates on the outside walls of your home.

Remember your pipes when looking at how to weatherize your Washington home. Much of the heat in your hot water is lost in the pipes between the hot water heater and your tap, so look to insulate (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization?product_id=491) them. As a bonus, insulation reduces the time waiting for your hot water to reach your tap.

If you have a chimney, check that your damper is not warped. You can do this by sticking your hand out and feeling for a cool draft coming down. This is a pretty good sign that your damper is warped and allowing air movement through your home. You can seal your chimney with chimney balloons (link http://dougb.cleangreennation.com/store/efficiency/weatherization/chimney-balloon-chimney-pillow). These placed inside your chimney will prevent warm air from escaping your home and cool air from entering. Incidentally, they also decrease noise coming into your house.

Knowing how to weatherize your Washington home will help you cut down on heating costs for relatively little effort, and give you extra comfort knowing that you\’re not expelling loads of carbon into the environment.

Are you looking for more information regarding how to weatherize your Washington home? Visit http://franklinw.cleangreennation.com today!

Are you looking for more information regarding how to weatherize your Washington home? Visit http://franklinw.cleangreennation.com today!

Author Bio: Are you looking for more information regarding how to weatherize your Washington home? Visit http://franklinw.cleangreennation.com today!

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