MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR YOUR HOME

Some of you may have been hit hard this winter with cold temperatures and record snowfalls. These record low temperatures can bring record high heating bills! Although you may think it is too late to do anything about your heating costs, the good news is that you have options to lower your energy costs that will carry over into the summer months! The fact that over 44% of the typical energy bill for a home is for heating and cooling means that you have the biggest opportunity for savings. Much of this savings comes from simply performing proper maintenance or making upgrades to your current system.

One of the most important parts of your heating and cooling system that you never see and could be draining dollars is the duct system that takes air to the individual rooms in your home. Often, these ducts are located in "unconditioned" areas such as under your home or in the attic. Leaks and lack of insulation can cost you hundreds of dollars every year. Here are a few tips related to your home's duct system:

Check your ducts for air leaks. First look for sections that might have come loose, and then look for any small holes or leaks.

If you use duct tape to make these repairs, make sure it has the Underwriters Laboratories logo (UL) on it so that you avoid tape that will eventually degrade and cause more problems.

Determine if your ducts have a layer of insulation, many do not. If you only have metal or hard fiberglass ducts, consider insulating them as quickly as possible and sealing any breaks in the insulation.

Be careful in basement areas as insulating ducts could make your basement colder. Make sure basement walls and ducts are both insulated.

Make sure a vapor area exists on the outside of the insulation to prevent moisture buildup. If you do add insulation, consider the services of a professional installer.

If you are using electricity to heat your home, consider installing an energy efficient heat pump system. Heat pumps are the most efficient form of heating in moderate climates, providing three times more heat than the energy they consume. There are three types of heat pumps: air-to-air, water source, and ground. They collect heat from the air, water, or ground outside your home and concentrate it for use inside. Heat pumps also serve as air conditioning units in the summer months by reversing the procedure and pulling heat out of your home. Again, this option is for moderate climates only and can reduce the amount of electricity you are using by 30-40%! Two important tips when using heat pumps:

1. Do not set the thermostat so far down that it forces the electric coils to come on because this dramatically increases your energy use.
2. Clean or replace filters every month! This is critical for efficient operation of your system.

One of the most inefficient sources of energy in your home is the fireplace. Although it might seem cozy on a cold winter day, a roaring fire can pull out as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour right up the chimney! If you are using your conventional fireplace with your central heating system, consider these tips:

• If you seldom use your fireplace, make sure the flue is tightly sealed.
• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. Think of it as an open window that sucks warmth from your home.
• When using a fireplace, close doors to that particular room, lower your thermostat, and slightly open a nearby window.
• Install tempered glass and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room. Check the seal of the flue damper and make sure it is a tight fit.
• Use grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.

These are just a few ways to help you stay warm and keep your pocketbook well insulated! Think warm; spring is not too far away!

Taken from ABN AMRO Mortgage Group, Inc. E-mail Newsletter