Winter Green Weatherization Tips
by Sarah on January 13th, 2009
Definitions of winter weather differ throughout our country. I cannot help but be jealous of my San Franciscan friends’ 70 degree weather forecast as I bundle up to face my Chicago 10 degree (and falling!) weather. The chill of my first Chicago winter has driven my poor San Franciscan self to uncover as many alternative heating solutions as possible. Luckily, because I work at ShoreBank, my search for warming methods was short-lived. A science officer at ShoreBank’s sister company, ShoreBank Pacific, had already assembled the following list of winterization tips that will both warm and reduce monthly heating bill costs for almost everybody, regardless of their definition of winter weather.
Winterize You & Your Home• Dress in comfortable layers instead of turning up your thermostat
• Put up storm doors and windows
• Seal air links to minimize drafts
• Winterize AC and water lines
• Check, clean, and replace filters on air intakes and furnaces
• Clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure that water is directed away from the foundation.
Plan to Warm Your Future Winters
• Tune-up your heating system
• Install a smart programmable thermostat
• Replace old windows and doors with highly efficient units
• Check your furnace’s age to see if it is time to invest in a new highly efficient one
• Boost insulation in floors, ceilings, and walls as much as there is space for (20% above code is a good goal)
• Use durable materials when replacing roofs and siding. This will reduce maintenance costs over several decades
This week, I shall implement operation ‘dress in layers’ and ‘seal my drafty windows.’ What will you implement?
Tags: community development, energy efficiency, green banking, ShoreBank, triple bottom line, weatherization
