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Today we’re gabbing with Tony Pratte about easy and low-cost ways to warm up the cold spots in your home. The idea used to be if you wanted to cut your utility bills you dropped the thermostat and put on a sweater. But not anymore.
Air Sealing and Insulation
Air is always going to want to go from hot to cold so it’s important to seal all the joints in your home to prevent airflow and moisture getting through the seams. A proper home seal is like zipping your down coat.
Windows and Doors
We need views, we need natural light, but we’re always balancing this trade off so that we’re taking from the efficiency of the wall construction. Make sure your windows are keeping as much heat inside and are properly sealed and that you have the right amount for the space you’re in.
Attics and Basements
Make sure your basements and attics are properly insulated since these are the most commonly overlooked areas for insulation. Using spray foam insulation or some other option is a great choice to keep the heat from escaping these two areas. Many utilities companies offer a free energy audit to make sure your home is running as efficiently as it can.
Heating Units
The simplest thing is to make sure all your duct work is sealed so the warm air isn’t wasted. Next is to make sure that your heating system is the right size for your home. One of the most common mistakes is having an oversized unit.
Appliances
Because your fridge is constantly running, having an energy efficient one can make the biggest impact. We’ve come a long way in the last 20 years, so even if you don’t chose an Energy Star appliance, just buying a new fridge can make a huge difference.
It’s easier than you think to warm up your home, just click over to some of the products mentioned in the episode in the resources.
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— Tony Pratte on – The Web – Facebook – LinkedIn
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About the Hosts of The Green Gab Podcast:
Green Gab Podcast Host Marla Esser Cloos is the Founder of The Green Home Coach – a company leading the way to inspire you to learn about, focus on and put into place Green Solutions when it comes to your life, home building and more.
Marla is an NAHB Master Certified Green Professional, LEED AP and Missouri Woman Business Enterprise. She Earned her B.S. in Engineering and Public Policy and a Certificate in Energy from Washington University.
Click here to learn more about Marla at her website online via TheGreenHomeCoach.Com
Connect with Marla Esser Cloos on – The Web – Twitter – Facebook – LinkedIn
Green Gab Podcast Host Tony Pratte is the Director of Builder/Contractor Relations at The Sound Room in St. Louis, Missouri.
Tony is a graduate of St. Louis University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has earned a Masters in Environmental Management & Sustainability at Harvard University
Tony’s 20+ year career has allowed to him to collect a number of experiences, connections and perspectives that offer an incredibly unique point of view that adds incredible value to each episode.