Monday, December 13, 2010

Weatherizing your Home

US DOE weatherization program logo

This past month, temperatures have plummeted and we have even seen a snow flurry or two…it looks like winter is here! Unfortunately, along with colder weather come higher utility bills and some dangerous health risks. If your home is not properly heated you risk not only having your household pipes freeze and burst, but you also risk getting hypothermia and other cold-weather related maladies. In order to ensure the safety of yourself and your family, while saving money on utilities, you should take the proper steps to weatherize your home.

United Way of Southeast Delaware County has a few tips it can share with you. These tips will ensure your house is ready for the inclement winter weather. 1) First of all, you should check that your house is properly insulated. Not only does this ensure that your house is warmer, but it also ensures that you are being more energy efficient. 2) Check the windows to ensure that no air is escaping or entering your home. Also if you have an attic, make sure there is at least 6 inches of insulating fiber lining the ceilings. Go around your home checking for drafty areas and if there are areas that do not seem to be insulated, do not worry because there are some solutions.3) For windows and door cracks, use weather-stripping, a material used to seal these openings. For cracks in ceilings and walls, use foam sealant or caulking to fill in the gaps causing the air to enter or escape your home.

These are just a few tips to start properly preparing your home for these winter months. Throughout the next week, United Way of Southeast Delaware County will be providing you with facts and solutions to ensure that your family is as warm and safe as possible this winter.

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