tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6073196539793417060.post8148438123498033090..comments2023-11-03T04:12:29.225-04:00Comments on This simple housewife's contribution to the world: Tip-- Lower energy costsJill Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01023531580838649455noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6073196539793417060.post-62954460371004381452007-10-30T19:52:00.000-04:002007-10-30T19:52:00.000-04:00How To Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter Imagi...How To Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter <br><br>Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day. <br><br>These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in - costing you higher heating bills. <br>But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home? <br><br>When attic stairs are installed, a large hole (approximately 10 square feet) is created in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed, leaving only a thin, unsealed, sheet of plywood. <br><br>An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling. <br><br>Much like attic stairs above, when whole house fans are installed, a large hole (up to 16 square feet or larger) is created in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed, leaving only leaky ceiling shutter between the house and the outdoors. An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan cover.<br><br>Approximately 100 million homes in North America are constructed with wood or gas burning fireplaces. Unfortunately fireplaces are energy losers. <br><br>An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after. <br><br>For more information on Battic Door’s energy conservation solutions and products, visit www.batticdoor.coAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com