Winter Weatherization Tips

With the holidays behind us and much of the country facing months of chilly or even sub-zero weather, it’s not too late to make sure your home is adequately weather-proofed and save a few dollars (or more) on your utility bills. Here are some things you can do to improve your home’s efficiency and make sure you and your family are comfortable through the winter months:

·         Check insulation 

According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, in a typical home, about 10 to 20 percent of the fuel bill is the result of unintended air infiltration. Even in a well-insulated home, energy may be wasted through air moving in and out or infiltrating through the home’s building shell or structure. Air leaks around doors and windows, attic hatches, window air conditioners, and through cracks and holes.

Make sure your attic has a sufficient amount of insulation to ensure it stays at least five to 10 degrees warmer than the outside air, otherwise too much heat escapes. Not only will this cause your heat bills to be higher, but it can also cause frozen water to melt and refreeze which can result in a collapsed roof.  

Inspect the weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows to make sure it hasn’t cracked or come loose, allowing air to leak, and replace it if needed. This can also help reduce infiltration by insects, dust and moisture and noise. Or, consider replacing your windows or doors with new ENERGY STAR-qualified windows or doors, which can save you about seven to 15 percent on your energy bills.  

• Maintain your pipes 
  
   Wrap your pipes with heating tape every winter and insulate unfinished rooms such as garages or sunrooms if they contain exposed pipes. Check pipes for cracks and leaks and have any damage repaired immediately to prevent costlier repairs later. Keep your house warm—at least 65 degrees. Don’t neglect your basement and crawl spaces, and insulate pipes in those spaces to protect against freezing. 

It’s also important to know the location of your pipes and how to shut the water off. If your pipes freeze, the quicker you shut off the water, the better chance you have of preventing pipe bursts and major water damage in your home.

• Inspect your heating systems
  
  Be sure to have your heating system serviced every year, and maintain your furnace, fireplace, boiler, water heater, space heater and wood-burning stove. Change your heating and air conditioning filters regularly, and while you’re at it, check the batteries and operation of your smoke and fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.

By setting aside a few weekend days now, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle later—and your family can relax and be warm and comfortable throughout the winter months. For more information on home maintenance, go to www.nahb.org/forconsumers.

Red Flags: Signs of the Un-Professional Remodeler
Posted: 12 Jul 2011 06:00 AM PDT

NAHB Remodelers offers tips on How to Hire a Professional Home Remodeler, but it’s also important to know the warning signs for unscrupulous home remodelers.

Keep these red flags in mind when searching for a professional home remodeler.
 
Red Flags: Signs of the Un-Professional Home Remodeler
*  Doesn’t have license and insurance. All professional home remodelers should be insured and able to show their certificate proving such insurance. Although all states do not require licensing, remodelers in states requiring licenses should have it and be able to provide a copy.
*  Doesn’t write contracts. Professional home remodelers have clear contracts that outline the job, process, the cost, and helps clarify how problems will be managed. If you don’t have a contract, neither the remodeler nor the home owner are protected when something goes wrong.
**WBA members have access to two professional contracts specifically written for remodelers and to meet all Wisconsin laws! Go to www.wisbuild.org to download for no charge!
*  Requires cash or payment in full before starting the job. Shady home remodelers demand cash and then run with the money. Many home owners have been stranded by paying in full up front.
*  Vastly underbids all other contractors. They may have the best price, but that doesn’t guarantee the best work. Such contractors may cut costs on quality for your home remodel, which can end up costing more when the home owner has to redo the work.
*  Cannot provide customer references. Professional home remodelers should have current references they can provide from current and past clients.
*  Poor credit. A bad credit report suggests bad business practices that could harm your remodeling project.
*  Difficulty contacting the home remodeler. Professionals have a physical office, mailing address, phone, and email. They should respond to your queries in a timely manner.

For more information about this item, please contact Kelly Mack at 800-368-5242 x8451 or via email at kmack@nahb.org.