| Now is not too soon to be thinking about this | | | | even ribbon is long enough to easily be seen. Mine |
| years home heating oil costs. If your home uses | | | | touches the fireplace logs and acts as a reminder |
| heating or fuel oil as a primary heating energy | | | | the plug is in place.2. Air leaks are the largest |
| source, you will no doubt be struggling with the | | | | source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air |
| huge increases in costs that are heading your | | | | leaks occur through the small cracks around |
| way. Heating oil, like gasoline, are tied very closely | | | | doors, windows, pipes, and outside electrical |
| together in price and we all know what the price | | | | outlets. A good way to seal the electric plugs is to |
| of gas has done over the last few years.The | | | | pick up some plug gaskets and install on all outside |
| absolute best way to help insulate yourself from | | | | electrica outlets. These are simply a thin rubber |
| fnancial ruin due to rediculously high home heating | | | | about the shape of the outlet cover that fits |
| bills this winter is to insulate your home instead. | | | | over the plug and seals around the outlet and the |
| Imagine leaving a window open all winter long. The | | | | cover.3. Doors are a special problem because you |
| heat loss, cold drafts, and wasted energy would | | | | can't simply seal it up. They need to opena and |
| drive everyone crazy. If however you add up all | | | | close regularly and seal. Weatherstripping around |
| the places where drafts and energy leaks occur in | | | | the perimeter of the door is a good way to seal |
| your home, it would probably be equal to leaving | | | | out the leaks around ouside doors. Another |
| a window open all winter long. The reason why | | | | suggestion is to take fabric material, cut 2 pieces |
| you don't feel it so much is that instead of a big | | | | about 3 inches wide and make it 6 inches longer |
| hole like an open window, you have a large | | | | than your door opening. So if the door is 46 |
| number of very small leaks. This is analagous to | | | | inches, you want 2 pieces of fabric 3 inches by |
| having every faucent in your home dripping in | | | | 42 inches. Sew the fabric together along the long |
| relation to simply running the bathtub all the time. | | | | sides and one small side. This will give you a |
| The result is the same. Water loss.So back to the | | | | pocket similar to a pillow case.Next turn the |
| issue of energy and heat loss leakage from your | | | | pocket inside out so the finished seams look |
| home. Often overlooked, there are several major | | | | good, and fill with any small material. Any cooking |
| potential areas where you should check for | | | | beans, rice, popcorn, even sand is a good material. |
| heated air loss.1. Fireplaces. These are a chimney | | | | You now have a bottom door seal that can be |
| or hole to the outside. Check and see if the | | | | placed against the door sill at the bottom, keeping |
| damper is tight. Use glass window fireplace | | | | the cold air out but can also be removed during |
| covers. And if you decide not to use the fireplace, | | | | the day. This is also a great idea for rooms that |
| consider getting some 2 inch rigid foam insulation | | | | have been closed off for the winter. Have a |
| from the hardware store and making a plug to | | | | guest room that isn't being heated? Make another |
| close off the fireplace even better. To make a | | | | bottom door seal and save energy. You can even |
| fireplace plug, measure the fireplace opening below | | | | purchase similar door seals from many stores |
| the damper, cut a piece of foam insulation to fit | | | | because they're so popular and every |
| and wedge it into place. A good safety idea is to | | | | efficient.While there's nothing we can do about the |
| attach a short piece of rope to the plug to not | | | | high enrgy prices next winter, by being prepared, |
| only help remove it when you are ready to use | | | | the bills can be dramatically lowered. The key is to |
| the fireplace but also as a safety device to make | | | | keep the leaks down and the warmth inside your |
| certain it's remembered before the fireplcae is | | | | home.Abigail Franks writes on many subjects |
| used. Make certain the short piece of rope or | | | | having to do with home, family, and health. |