19 easy home-winterization projects

Change furnace filters

Yes it's easy to forget, but it's important to replace or clean your furnace filters once a month during the heating season. Dirty filters restrict air flow and increase energy demand. Here's a worry-saving tip: Mark a monthly check on your calendar.

Better, consider switching to a permanent filter, which will reduce waste and hassle. Did you know that disposable fiberglass filters trap a measly 10% to 40% of debris? Electrostatic filters trap around 88%, and are much better at controlling the bacteria, mold, viruses and pollen that cause illness and irritation. They cost $50 to $1,000 or more. Another good choice is a genuine high-efficiency particulate air filter, which can remove 99.97% of airborne particles. HEPA filters are based on Energy Department standards. Avoid "HEPA-like" filters, which can be vastly less effective.

Buying a new furnace is expensive, but replacing an inefficient burner with a modern machine will save you money every month through the heating season.

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Run fans in reverse

Most people think of fans only when they want to be cool, but many ceiling units come with a handy switch that reverses the direction of the blades. Counterclockwise rotation produces cooling breezes while switching to clockwise makes it warmer: Air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space, cutting your heating costs as much as 10%.

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Winterize your air-conditioning and water lines

This one's really easy, and it will even save you a few pennies next summer: Simply drain any hoses and air-conditioner pipes, and make sure no excess water is pooled in equipment. If your A/C has a water shutoff valve, turn it off.

Similarly, make sure any hoses are drained and stowed away neatly. Turn off exterior water spigots. It's also a good idea to seal any water leaks around the place — and don't forget to remove any window A/C units and store them so you don't invite cold drafts all winter.

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Turn down your water heater

While many conventional water heaters are set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit by installers, most households don't need water that hot, and end up paying for it — in dollars and the occasional burn. Lowering the temperature to 120 degrees or lower would reduce your water-heating costs by 6% to 10%.

If you start to wonder why you need a tank at all, you may be ready for a tankless water heater, or to go solar.

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Install storm doors and windows

Installing a storm door can increase energy efficiency by 45%, by sealing drafts and reducing air flow. Storm doors also offer greater flexibility for letting light and ventilation enter your home. Look for Energy Star-certified models.

Similarly, storm windows can make a huge difference when the cold wind starts blowing. It may be a pain, but it is well worth it to get them out of the shed or attic and install them for the season.

Make sure each is securely shut. They don't do much good if you leave them in the up position by mistake.

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Give your heating system a tune-up

You probably know that cars need periodic tune-ups to run their best. The same is true for heating equipment. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving you up to 5% on heating costs.

The good news is that many utilities offer free annual checkups by qualified technicians – but you often have to call early, because crews get backed up once heating season starts. Some furnace manufacturers and dealers also offer free or discounted inspections.

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Mind that thermostat

It's easy to forget to turn down the heat when you leave the house, but doing so is one of the surest ways to save money. Most households shell out 50% to 70% of their energy budgets on heating and cooling, so why pay for what no one uses?

For every degree you lower the thermostat during heating season, you'll save between 1% and 3% on your heating bill. Make it easier with a programmable thermostat; they are widely available for as little as $50, and the average family will save $180 a year with one.

Go a step further and ask your local utility if it's making smart meters available in your area, as part of federal smart-grid investments.

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Put up some plastic

For just a few dollars, pick up a window insulation kit at your local hardware or discount store. Don't worry — properly installed, window plastic is essentially invisible. Adding a buffer against drafts and extra still-air space can give a nice boost to your home's ability to hold heat.

Save even more by hiring a pro to install a high-tech "low-e" film directly to the window glass.

If your windows are old, consider replacing them with energy-efficient windows.

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Use an energy monitor

Measure your way to savings with an energy monitor (pictured is the TED, The Energy Detective, which starts at $139). Such a device indicates household electrical usage in real time and projects your monthly bill. Research has found that this kind of information can lead consumers to reduce their electricity consumption significantly.

In fact, according to the company that makes the TED, you'll save 15% to 20% on each bill, which would amount to hundreds of dollars a year. By seeing exactly how much each appliance or activity costs, you'll start seeing easy ways to cut waste.

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Use caulking and weatherstripping

Simple leaks can sap home energy efficiency by 5% to 30% a year, according to the Energy Department. That means it pays to seal up gaps with caulking and weatherstripping.

Take a close look at places where two different building materials meet, such as corners, around chimneys, where pipes or wires exit and along the foundation. Use the incense test: Carefully move a lit stick along walls, avoiding drapes and other flammables; where the smoke wavers, you have air sneaking in — and heating or cooling sneaking out.

In another method, have someone on the outside blow a hair dryer around each window while you hold a lighted candle inside. If the candle flickers or goes out, you need to caulk or weatherstrip around the frame.

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Put on a sweater

Make like Jimmy Carter and dress more warmly for winter, even inside. Gone are the days (for most of us, at least) when we can afford to lounge around in our underwear while it's frosty outside. Remember what we said about each degree on the thermostat costing you money?

Roughly speaking, a light long-sleeved sweater is worth about 2 degrees in added warmth, while a heavy sweater adds about 4 degrees. So cozy up and start saving.

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Boost insulation

Insulation is one of the best ways to save energy and money at home. It can make a big difference between walls, and make sure your attic floor and basement ceiling are well-covered.

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Insulate your pipes

Pay less for hot water by insulating pipes. That can also help decrease the chance of pipes freezing, which can be disastrous. Check to see if your pipes are warm to the touch. If so, they are good candidates for insulation. Use the same method to determine if your water heater would benefit from some insulation.

You can get pre-slit pipe foam at most hardware stores. Cut it to size and fasten in place with duct tape. Ideally, choose the insulation with the highest R-value practical, which is a measure of its heat-blocking power. Pipe insulation is often R-3 or, for batt styles that you wrap around, a stronger R-7.

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Seal those ducts

Moving even deeper into your home's infrastructure, one encounters ductwork. Studies show 10% to 30% of heated (or cooled) air in an average system escapes from ducts.

It could pay to hire a professional technician to come out and test your duct system and fix any problems. Properly sealing ducts can save the average home up to $140 annually, according to the American Solar Energy Society. Plus, you'll have better protection against mold and dust.

Many utilities offer incentive programs for duct improvement. Be wary of "duct cleaning" services, however; absent an air-quality problem, most homes don't need their ducts cleaned.

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Take advantage of tax credits

Tax credits can help homeowners install renewable-energy and energy-efficiency projects.

Various local, state and federal incentives exist to encourage the use of efficient windows and doors, insulation, roofing, HVAC (including geothermal ground-source heat pumps) water heaters (including solar water heaters) and alternative-energy technologies, such as solar power, geothermal heating and cooling, biomass stoves, small wind turbines and even fuel cells.

Learn about local incentives by searching the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.

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Choose the right contractor

To choose which project to tackle first, it may help to perform your own energy audit, or hire an expert. But how do you get someone who shares your values?

"Green building" pros are setting up shop all across the country, so they're getting easier to find. The Energy Department certifies Energy Star home-performance contractors, who are trained to improve energy efficiency in homes. Be careful: Many state and federal incentives require that the work be done by a certified contractor, so check the rules before hiring anyone. Ask potential contractors about their interest in and experience with green technologies, and find out if they are approved for work that qualifies for a green home label.

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Get creative and go alternative

Various local, state and federal incentives exist to encourage the use of alternative energy technologies, all of which require a front-end investment that typically pays for itself in energy savings over a number of years.

Or, you can get creative. Tired of paying to chill food when it's cold outside? Take advantage of natural cool air by rigging up an ambient air refrigerator (pictured here) on the side of your dwelling. The process is simpler than you might think. You just need some wood, insulation and a couple of computer fans. Get all the details for your own super fridge here.

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Upgrade to an efficient furnace

Fortunately, it's not something you have to do every year, or even every decade, but if your furnace is old you could save a lot of money in the long run — and improve your home's value — by upgrading to a new unit.

Make it an Energy Star-certified furnace and you'll save 15% to 20% versus standard new models.

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