Usage and Safety 
the exterior

Try these low- or no-cost tips to boost your household’s energy efficiency:

Protect the Exterior

  • Small cracks cause big heat losses. Caulk around the frames of all your windows and exterior doors.
  • Replace or repair dried and cracked window putty. Also replace, patch or tape cracked or broken panes of glass to reduce air leakage and drafts.
  • If you have single-pane windows, install storm windows on every window in your home and storm doors on all exterior doors.
  • Locate your trees, shrubs and fences to provide maximum shade, wind and sun protection. Trained nursery personnel can help you design a landscape plan with energy efficiency in mind.

 
 

did you know?

In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills.

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