Don’t let the blazing autumn leaf colors, blue sky and mild East Tennessee temps fool you. Winter will eventually blow in with its biting cold, testing the limits of your utility bills. Take advantage of the warmer side of this seasonal transition with practical steps to weatherize ahead of winter. You may need a professional for some of these, while others could become weekend do-it-yourself projects worth the modest expense at your local home improvement store.
Low-budget DIY projects
- Weatherstripping or caulking around doors and windows to seal gaps
- Taping gaps around air returns
- Wrapping exposed water pipes with insulation
- Switch ceiling fans to run clockwise to circulate warm air
Consider-a-professional projects
- Increase attic insulation
- Heating and air system checkup or upgrade
- Adding storm windows or upgrading windows
TVA Energy Right
You can get professional guidance on these details at your own home when you sign up for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Energy Right program. Certain qualifying home projects may even be eligible for rebates.
Other ideas:
- Replace burnt-out bulbs with LED lights
- Replace nonfunctioning appliances with ENERGY STAR models that require less electricity
- Consider renewable energy systems like solar + storage
Check out more ideas like smart thermostats from ENERGY STAR.
Anne Brock is marketing coordinator for Solar Alliance, which designs and manages solar installation projects for manufacturers, small businesses and nonprofits. She can be reached at email or 865-221-8349.
