Easygoing summer is ending. Time to move into “get things done” fall.
Saying goodbye to summer is bittersweet, but look on the bright side: Back-to-school season can re-energize you for new accomplishments, even if you’re not the one headed back to class.
Take advantage of that back-to-school momentum. Now is the perfect time to check efficiency and weatherization projects off the to-do list before you fully settle into autumn schedules. Here are a few of the high-reward actions you can take right now.
Get a Home Energy Assessment
Not sure where to start with efficiency projects? Or which rebates are still available? Which vendors and installers to contract for work?
A home energy assessment accomplishes all of this. If you’ve been putting it off, now’s your moment to schedule one.
In a home energy assessment, a specialist walks through your home, analyzes your energy usage, and makes data-based recommendations for efficiency. A Mass Save® home energy assessment doesn’t cost anything, and it’s a necessary prerequisite for accessing rebates and incentives for bigger projects like insulation or heat pumps. For example, you can access 75 to 100 percent rebates on home insulation upgrades – but you need your assessment first.
This is your chance to ask practical questions about any home energy projects you’ve been considering: How do I eliminate this draft? What kind of insulation might work for my house? What kind of wiring work might I need to do?
This is an easy on-ramp to tackle bigger projects, so make sure to get one on the calendar before your fall schedule gets too packed.
Re-Do (Or Add) Weatherstripping
Weatherstripping – the material used to seal gaps around doors and windows – can make a big difference in efficiency. Although it’s typically in the form of plastic or vinyl, it can come in the form of felt, foam, tape, or other materials. Different materials have different pros/cons, such as durability, aesthetics, or difficulty of installation.
For the typical self-stick material, you’ll know it’s time for replacements when you see cracks, tears, or chunks missing from your existing weatherstripping. Or, you may notice areas where none exists, but should – such as visible gaps in doors and windows, or obvious drafts. Those leaks can add up to significant energy losses, driving up costs and making your HVAC work harder with less impact.
First consider the location of the gaps you need to fill, remove the existing weatherstripping (if you have vinyl or plastic, you can typically pull it out with pliers) and shop for the best material to close off gaps in that particular area. The tricky part is measuring the new weatherstripping and getting it to fit snugly.
The process can get complicated for some projects – for example, if you need to remove a door to properly place weatherstripping along the bottom – but in many cases you just need to measure, cut, and stick.
Change HVAC Filters
When’s the last time you changed your filter? Industry recommendations suggest you should do it every three months. If you haven’t done it before, don’t worry – changing the filter is an easy process once you get the hang (and habit) of doing it.
You get a quick return on investment as well. New filters help your systems run more effectively, which means they don’t have to work as hard to heat and cool your home. That will also extend the life of your system.
To change filters, first turn off the HVAC unit. Look for the filter, which will be either in the air handler or behind a return vent. You’ll be able to get the measurements and materials for the old filter. Or, if you want to learn more about what types of filters might be best, you can research HVAC air filtration standards to find the most effective material for optimizing filtration in your home.
When you re-insert the filter, ensure the airflow arrow is pointing in the correct direction, then just close the panel and turn the unit back on.
Insulate Your Hot Water Heater and Pipes
Touch the tank of your hot water heater – if it’s warm to the touch, a simple insulation job can help lower costs by helping it work more efficiently. The same goes for exposed water pipes in your home.
An insulation blanket can lower water heating costs by 7 to 16 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, but first check with your utility to see if local regulations restrict insulation on your tank out of safety concerns about improper installation. On the flip side, your utility may offer insulation blankets for free, offer rebates on blankets, or install them at low cost.
If you get the go-ahead from your utility, you can buy a water heater insulation blanket kit and tape it in place, making sure that you cut out areas for the controls to be accessible.
Exposed water pipes can be a hazard in cold weather, as freezing temperatures might cause them to burst and flood your home. If they’re inside walls or near exterior walls, it might make sense to pay for professional insulation – but exposed pipes can also be covered with pipe sleeves or strips of insulation material, and taped into place.
Clean the Fridge
This one’s a good idea for sanitary reasons – spills and old food can be a health hazard – but it’s also an energy-saver. The fridge can account for as much as 10 percent of a household’s total electricity usage, and proper maintenance may shave a few dollars off your monthly electricity costs.
Clear out an overpacked fridge to keep air flowing better; also, make sure there’s no ice buildup in front of vents and ducts. But most importantly, you should check your condenser coils to make sure they’re clean.
Condenser coils transfer heat to the outside of the unit to maintain cold within, and they can get very dusty. Vacuuming out the dust can help the coils operate much more efficiently.
You can access the coils through a panel in the back of the fridge, or underneath it. First turn off the power in the fusebox or unplug the refrigerator, then locate the coils. You may need to unscrew a back panel to access the coils, or simply unclip it if that’s how your model works.
You should be able to see the motor (and the accumulated dust on top of it), so take your vacuum attachment and clear off as much dust as possible. If the coils are underneath the fridge, they may extend pretty far back into the appliance – if that’s the case, you can use extended attachments to reach far back and pull out as much dust as possible.
Check These Off Now, Thank Yourself Later
An efficient, weatherized home takes a bit of work and maintenance, but you’ll be rewarded with lower energy costs and a feeling of accomplishment. Before your household’s schedule gets too crowded, get your household set up for a great year to come!
If you’re ready to take advantage of Mass Save rebates, start with a home energy assessment with Neeeco. We are a Mass Save partner and can help you take advantage of available rebates for insulation, air sealing, heat pumps, and more.
*Some restrictions apply and offers are subject to change or cancellation. Visit MassSave.com/HEA for full details.
Call (781) 776-5711 or contact our team to schedule your no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment today!