keep the cold -- where it belongs

OUTside!

it’s amazing how many ways heat manages to escape your house... and, when those flurries gat a'blowin (ok. who am i kidding? i live in southern california... still, we *do* get that chilly marine layer... so there!)... here are a few areas that may need a little extra attention.

santa ain't the only one who uses the chimney

while there are few things nicer than a cozy fire in winter, leaving an open fireplace damper when not in use can let 8 percent of your home’s heat escape. if you have a fireplace, be sure to close the damper when you’re not using it. and, once spring has sprung, don’t forget to close it up for the season. an open fireplace damper acts just like an open window, letting cool air find its way to the great outdoors (assuming your one of those lucky dogs with A/C!).

fill in the gaps

air leaks constitute up to 10 percent of your energy bill and are easily fixed. simply take a tour of the house and mark all the windows, heating vents and outside doors. then, take a ribbon and hold it up to the edges of doors, windows, air ducts and other sources of air leaks (get the kids in on it, too!). if the ribbon blows, you've found a leak! a date with a caulking gun and some weather stripping will make a huge difference.

shades of green

you know, those lovely curtains or shades you put up do more than just keep the sun from reflecting off your television screen. they can actually help regulate the temperature inside your house in all types of weather (kind of like those neat hot/cold mugs... kooky, eh?). so, before you head out into the chilly world be sure to close them up, as they add another layer of insulation.