Review Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

As the cold weather sets in, its time to take a good hard look at ways we may be wasting money through inefficiencies in our homes. Too many of us allow laziness to prevent us from doing the little things that can really have an impact. Here is a plan to address a few key items in preparation for winter.

Check Your Boiler or Furnace

Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

Early Autumn is the time to check your home's heating system. After all, it may have been dormant for up to six months. Boiler or furnace maintenance contracts from certified technicians can usually be purchased for a modest annual fee and will include a pre-season checkup. Look at it as a 'tune-up' for your boiler. In addition to an annual inspection, homeowners can help with simple, efficiency-building maintenance tasks on their own. If you have a forced-air furnace, change the filter to make sure the air stays clean throughout the season. With both recirculated hot water and steam boilers, drain the system regularly. One of the main culprits that causes reduced performance in these systems is a build up of sediment--mostly rust but also may include minerals in the water itself. Turn on the system and run it for a half hour then check the individual radiators to see if there is any water leaking onto the floor. With steam systems, a faulty valve at the radiator can result in leaking. Replacing these valves is simple and not that expensive.

Winterize Air Conditioners

Obviously, window mounted air conditioners should be removed when the cold sets in--don't be lazy with this. Leaving them in is a big mistake as they will let a tremendous amount of frigid air into your house (which your heating system will then work overtime to warm up to your set temperature). Central air conditioning units are a bit easier to maintain in the winter. And while exterior mounted AC units do not necessarily allow cold air into your home, they do need to be covered for proper maintenance of the unit itself. Most units have available custom fitted covers.

Check the Fireplace and Chimney

If you have a wood-burning fireplace, check the masonry or bricks for cracks. Check the mechanical damper to see that it is working properly. Most fire codes recommend having an annual chimney inspection if you have a wood burning fireplace or wood or coal burning stove. The inspection may or may not indicate the need for a chimney cleaning. In either case, this is a safety issue as well as an efficiency issue. A poorly ventilated wood fire will not produce heat efficiently, but even worse it could lead to the accumulation of deadly gases inside the home. Incidentally, you shouldn't by any means ignore the boiler or furnace flue. It should also be regularly inspected and cleaned when necessary (though it shouldn't be as often as a wood burning fireplace) for the same efficiency and safety reasons.

Seal Out the Frigid Air

Probably the biggest source of cold air into an otherwise well-insulated, well-maintained house is the tiny spaces around windows and doors. This is where the homeowner realizes a huge payback on a small investment in upgrading weatherstripping and caulking. The seal around a closed exterior door is critical. Buy a good quality weatherstripping and install it according to the instructions. Install an insulating door sweep at the bottom. Window caulking is a slightly more complicated process and should be done in the spring or summer months. Some caulks are designed to last and be effective for 10 years or more. With other, less expensive varieties you may be lucky to get five years. If you are not comfortable removing the old caulking and installing a new layer than it is well worth the money spent having a qualified contractor come in and do it when it is time to have it done.

How to Prepare Your House For Winter