Public Service Commission Chairman Lane’s column: Are air leaks haunting your house this Halloween?

PRESS RELEASE

As the temperatures drop and we turn up the heat, sneaky drafts, chilly windows, and hidden air leaks can haunt your house this Halloween time, sending precious warmth outdoors and driving up your energy use.

Don’t let those heat-stealing ghosts get the best of you! With a few simple tricks, you can keep the warmth where it belongs and help make your heating system work more efficiently.

One of the easiest places for heat to escape is around your windows and doors. Take a quick walk through your home and check for chilly spots. On a cool day, hold your hand near the edges of windows and doors. If you feel cold air creeping in, your warm air may be creeping right back out.

Pay special attention to older windows, exterior doors, and areas where different building materials meet. These can be prime hiding spots for unwanted drafts.

If you find a draft, don’t be scared! Weather-stripping, door sweeps, and caulk are inexpensive ways to seal many common leaks around windows and doors.

Close curtains and blinds at night to add an extra layer of insulation between your home and the cold outdoor air. During sunny fall days, open curtains on south- and west-facing windows to let natural sunlight provide a little free warmth.

You also don’t want to forget about other potential heat escape routes, including attics, basements, fireplaces, and utility openings. Warm air can find surprisingly sneaky ways out of your home.

Check that your attic insulation is adequate and look for obvious gaps or openings where air may be leaking. If you have a fireplace that you aren’t using, make sure the damper is closed when appropriate. An open fireplace damper can allow warm indoor air to escape straight up the chimney.

In the background, your heating system is working hard to keep your home comfortable throughout the colder months, so don’t let it become a neglected ghost in the basement! Replace your furnace filter regularly, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. A dirty filter can restrict airflow and make your heating system work harder than necessary.

If you have a forced-air heating system, be sure to take a look at your vents and registers. Make sure furniture, rugs, curtains, boxes, and other household items aren’t blocking them. Your furnace can only deliver warm air efficiently if that air has somewhere to go.

You don’t need a magic spell to make your home more energy efficient. This Halloween, don’t let your energy dollars vanish into thin air; spend a little time hunting down the heat-stealing tricks around your home, and you’ll be better prepared for the treats of the colder months ahead.