I heard on the news, last night, that a current opinion poll showed that over 50% of the people now believe that global warming doesn’t exist. This came after an earlier report that the north pole will have so little ice this winter that it will be wide open for ships to navigate across and that Greenland can potentially actually be green this year instead of white like it has been for the past few centuries. Well I guess I’m in the minority then because even though I’m no scientist I do remember when the only way to navigate over the north pole was under the ice. We have to wake up and do something to save the save the situation and to save ourselves from the crushing blows dealt us daily by the economy. Toward this goal to promote “green” living and at the same time looking for ways to help us all save money I ran across a great blog on AOL/Walletpop:
http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/03/fast-fixes-for-drafty-windows/
Walletpop continues to provide me with a great source for blog subject material and for answers to my own readers questions and I highly recommend it. The one that I have cited above, by Tom Kraeutler, deals with saving money this winter by fixing drafty windows. Although it is currently predicted that this winter will be mild and heating costs will be somewhat lower, with our luck and the economy going the way it is currently, we all need to look for everything we can to conserve energy and to save money.
Heat loss (or heat gain during the summer) is one the most expensive budget breakers that we face in our everyday life. Although it can be an expensive project to take own energy proofing our homes with new windows, added insulation, etc. there can be simple inexpensive things that we can do to at least make the situation better. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical home loses more than 25% of its heat through windows. Here is a brief description of how to effect fast fixes for your drafty windows. Read the whole blog at the above link for the full detail.
Test your windows
The first step towards sealing out drafty, inefficient windows is to figure out where the problems lie. Look for condensation inside the glass on double- or triple-glazed windows. This could indicate seal failure. If this is the case, you might need to replace the glass or the entire window.
Easy fixes first
There are a few easy things you can do to reduce your energy loss short of window replacement. Seal up any little cracks or gaps where air can leak into your home. In some case the average home has enough of these small holes to equal one three-foot by three-foot opening. Check every window and door to make sure there is adequate weather-stripping and caulking which will ensure a secure seal around the openings in your home. During the winter, open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight in to naturally heat your home. Close curtains a night to reduce the chill you may feel near cold windows.
There's also never been a better time to replace your windows. Homeowners replacing their windows with energy-efficient windows in 2009 or 2010 can receive up to $1,500 replacement window tax credit from the U.S. government.
Before the winter chill sets in for good ( yes I know it has already snowed in several parts of the country, but Im in Florida, right now, and I had to be shaken into the reality of winter last week when our temperatures dropped into the 70’s) I will be reading and looking for more sources of ways for us to all save money, time and energy and ways to live greener. Keep visiting my blog
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