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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

How You Can Stay Safe and Save Money this Winter!


How You Can Determine the Worth of Your Houston Home
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The fall is here and winter is right around the corner, so now is the time to start preparing your home for the cooler weather. We've put together this short checklist to help you protect your home and your family from the changing weather:
  • Now is a good time to maintenance your heating system. Make sure it is working and that there are no gas leaks before the cold comes.
  • Reverse your ceiling fans for maximum efficiency. This will pull cooler air upward and push warm air down. 
  • Another great way to ensure you're not losing heat is to ensure the damper for your fireplace is in the correct position. Having it open is like leaving a window wide open, which will cause a draft throughout the house. If you're not using your fireplace, make sure your damper is in its proper position - this is a simple way to shore up energy consumption in your home.
  • Replace older or single-pane windows. There are many different styles of energy efficient double-pane windows out there. Although they can be expensive, installing updated windows will save you a ton on your energy bill and will add value to your home in the long run. 
  • Check the ducting in the attic. It's hidden away, so we often don't think about it, but a recent report suggests that 10% to 15% of energy waste could be reduced by sealing ducts correctly. 
These are all, with one exception, incredibly cheap and easy things to do. If you want to keep your family warm AND save money on your energy bill, we suggest doing at least a few of these items. If you would like to learn more about this topic, or have any general real estate questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to give you a hand!