Cooler temperatures and shorter days can only mean one thing: winter is on its way. Winterizing your rental home can help you save money on heating costs throughout the season, and on utilities come springtime and beyond. Start by:
1. Looking for simple, affordable fixes – There are some simple, inexpensive measures that renters can do to ensure their homes remain energy efficient, warm and comfortable. For less than $100, weather-stripping for windows, a door sweep strip and some caulking can help fill any air leaks to limit energy loss. Replacing the furnace's air filter every three months can also help create a more comfortable environment; a clogged filter can reduce the unit's overall efficiency and lifespan.
2. Setting the temperature – Investing in a programmable thermostat allows renters to monitor the indoor temperature of their home remotely via a smart phone or online. By keeping the temperature low when no one is home and programming the thermostat to increase the temperature when everyone is home, annual heating costs can be reduced anywhere between 5 and 15 percent, according to the U.S Department of Energy (DOE). The same principle can be applied during summer months to help save on cooling costs.
3. Preventing ice damming – Major damage can result from ice damming, so it's never too early to start thinking about a long-term solution. Ice damming occurs when warm, indoor air escaping through the roof melts snow on the shingles. The water then refreezes as it runs off the roof, creating a barrier of ice at the edge. Spray foam insulation is a modern solution that both insulates and seals to help stop ice damming. Installed by licensed professionals, spray foam insulation works well in all climates and fills in gaps and cracks to help stop air leakage as well as ice dams formation.
Source: Icynene
