Friday, Jul. 03, 2009

Address these 7 things to cool your home

Summer is swinging into full gear and as the temperature rises, prepare yourself for higher bills, especially if you live in the south. I dread these months in the sweltering sun -- escaping the heat wrath is nearly impossible. We've identified the top sneaky heat catchers and how to remedy them. These simple do-it-yourself and professional options will drastically improve the efficiency of your system and save you big bucks.

Culprit 1: Breezy Windows and Doors

Look for daylight through cracks around your windows and doors; feel for air seeping in. If you are home improving on a dime, buy weather stripping foam or rubber--it is sticky on one side and will cut out the airflow. The rubber stuff definitely wears better. Make sure you place the stripping where it will make tight contact with the window or door.

Culprit 2: Poor Wall Insulation

This bigger ticket item is a definite must to replace if it was done poorly the first time, and especially if your walls have absolutely no insulation. You'll need to hire a professional as you can seriously damage the walls, do-it-yourself style. Insulating cavity walls can save up to 15 percent off your energy bill and will typically pay for itself in just two years.

Culprit 3: Old Putties

Check out the putty around your doors and windows. If it is cracked you can be sure the hot air is creeping in. Scrape them off and apply a new layer.

Culprit 4: Outdated Unit

Old Bessie may be working overtime if your house has been a sieve for outside air. But if your unit is more than 12 years old, replacing it with an Energy Star version could be your best bet for keeping it cool. Most companies will offer a free consultation to assess how large of a unit you would need for your square footage. If you plan to move within five years, it may be best to insulate other areas of your home rather than go for an overhaul.

Culprit 5: Static Thermostat

My thermostat is impossible to read. It has one lever and a thermometer-style gauge above it that could read anywhere between 72 and 78 depending on the angle you look at it. I'm headed to the store today to buy a programmable thermostat so I can set it for specific temperatures during different times of the day. For about $30 a Honeywell programmable can save up to $400 per year on heating and cooling.

Culprit 6: Dysfunctional or Poorly Planned Duct Work

Although a good duct cleaning can charge hundreds of dollars, it is well worth it to identify any leaks and give the pipes a good cleanse. Although you can attempt to do-it-yourself, I'd get a bid on it.

Culprit 7: Inadequate Roof Insulation

I proudly come from a family of mechanical geeks who are into fixing everything. An uncle recently gave me a tour of his newly insulated attic and I was truly impressed. Few builders actually use fiberglass as there are more cost efficient, easy to install, and cheaper options. I would use a certified installer for the job, but if you're channeling Bob Vila check out these tips first.

The best time to identify and disarm the perpetrators listed above is in late spring or the fall. It's not too late to heatproof the house! Craft a game plan and work in the early hours to avoid heat exhaustion.

(For more savings tips, check out FreeShippping.org's "Go Frugal" blog at http://www.freeshipping.org/blog/)