Home Energy Efficiency Tips for Winter

Around here, a little rain is part of the deal. A chilly living room doesn’t have to be. 

If you’re feeling drafts around your windows or noticing that your heater seems to be working overtime, your home may be letting more warm air escape than you realize. A few smart improvements can make your home more comfortable and may help you use less energy along the way, and reduce heating costs. 

Start Where the Heat Escapes 

Before you automatically turn up the thermostat, take a look at your insulation and air sealing. Heat can sneak out through attics, walls, floors, crawlspaces and even small gaps around pipes, wiring and light fixtures. 

Depending on your home, home energy efficiency improvements might include: 

• Adding insulation in the attic, walls or floors 

• Sealing air leaks in the attic or crawlspace 

• Sealing and insulating heating ducts 

You don’t necessarily have to tackle everything at once. Start with the areas that are causing the biggest headaches and build your plan from there. 

What About the Windows? 

Sometimes you can feel the culprit just by standing next to it. 

Older windows, particularly single-pane windows, can be a significant source of heat loss. Drafts, condensation between panes, worn seals or windows that no longer close tightly can all be signs that it’s time to consider an upgrade. 

If new windows, or energy-efficient windows are on your list, compare energy-efficiency ratings along with price, warranty and installation options. The least expensive window isn’t always the best long-term value for your home. 

Before You Spend, Check for Rebates 

Here’s one step that’s easy to overlook: check with your local power company before the work begins. 

Some utilities offer home energy efficiency rebates or other programs for qualifying energy-efficiency improvements. Requirements can vary, so find out what qualifies and whether there are contractor, product or application requirements before you sign on the dotted line. 

And hang on to those receipts. You may need them when applying for a home energy efficiency rebate. 

Not Ready for a Big Project? Start Small. 

You don’t have to replace every window or reinsulate the whole house to make a difference. Caulking gaps around windows and doors, replacing worn weatherstripping or adding window film during the colder months can help tame drafts without taking a big bite out of your budget. 

A few small fixes now can also help you figure out where a larger investment, and if a home equity line of credit for home improvements makes the most sense later. 

A Few Tips Before You Get Started 

• Get more than one contractor quote. 

• Compare workmanship, products, warranties and timelines, not just the bottom-line price. 

• Ask whether the work may qualify for local home energy-efficiency programs or rebates. 

• Keep receipts, product information and other project paperwork together. 

Ready to Tackle a Bigger Home Project? 

If new energy-efficient windows, insulation, or other improvements have grown into a bigger project, you have options for financing it, too, by applying for a home equity line of credit for your home improvements. 

A Kitsap Credit Union Home Equity Line of Credit lets you draw from your available line as your project moves along, giving you flexibility to borrow what you need, when you need it. 

For a limited time, enjoy 4.99% APR† for 6 months, then as low as 7.00% APR variable.* 

Your home works hard to keep you comfortable through our Northwest winters. If it’s time to give it a little help, KCU is here to help you find a way forward that fits your home and your budget.