4 Ways to Slash Utility Bills With a DIY Energy Audit
Information is brought to you by Hope Leitner Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties 4 Ways to Slash Utility Bills With a DIY Energy Audit Fixing a few of your home’s most likely trouble spots can improve energy efficiency and save you a bundle on utility bills. Consumer editors at ThisOldHouse.com provide a starting point for your DIY energy audit: Drafty Windows On a windy day, close all windows and exterior doors, as well as the chimney flue damper. Light a stick of incense, move it around the perimeter of each window and watch for air that stirs the rise of smoke. If you find a culprit, scrape out any cracked or dried caulk on the outside where the casing meets the siding. Apply a fresh bead of paintable acrylic latex, such as DAP’s Alex Plus. For doors, add new weather stripping. The work may shave off up to $20 from your annual bill for each window and door you weatherize. Damaged Fireplace Damper Up to 20 percent of your home’s warmed air can be drawn up and o