Fall’s cool temperatures offer a great reminder that it’s time to find and seal air leaks in your home, which can save you energy and money. Keep your home warmer this winter (and cooler in summer) while lowering your utility bills with these simple tips from Blue Grass Energy.
“It’s important to winterize your home before the cold weather sets in,” says Cathryn W. Gibson, Blue Grass Energy Vice President of Member Services and Economic Development. “There are many low-cost steps you can take to help save on your electric bills. Sealing cracks in a home is one of the easiest.”
Find cracks by waiting for a windy day and then carefully holding a lit incense stick or a smoke pen next to your windows, doors, electrical outlets and other spots where outside air may infiltrate. If the smoke stream moves horizontally, you’ve found a leak that needs to be sealed.
Experts recommend using waterproof, flexible and long-lasting silicone caulk to seal cracks and gaps that are less than one-quarter-inch wide. Remove any old caulk and clean the surface before applying new caulk.
Fresh caulk takes several hours, or longer, to dry, so it’s best to do the job on a dry day when humidity is relatively low and the temperature is above 45 degrees F. In addition to caulk, you can use low-expansion spray foam to seal leaks.
Blue Grass Energy members can take advantage of a free home energy, including a diagnostic blower door test, which reveals air leaks. For more information or other tips on how to save energy—and money—visit www.bgenergy.com.
Blue Grass Energy is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving approximately 55,000 member-owners in 23 central and north central Kentucky counties. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative, Blue Grass Energy is headquartered in Nicholasville and has district offices in Cynthiana, Lawrenceburg and Richmond. For more news and information, visit www.bgenergy.com, www.facebook.com/BlueGrassEnergy or www.twitter.com/BlueGrassEnergy.
