
It seems that, whether we like it or not, winter has started its descent into Winchester, which has many of us thinking about how we’re planning on gearing up for the cold. If you’re pulling out your winter coats, hats and gloves, it’s important to remember that your home needs to be prepared for the cold as well!
As a Winchester Real Estate agent, I’ve enjoyed being a part of various community activities that teach and promote an eco-friendly Winchester. I feel that, my job is to not just help Winchester residents buy and sell homes, but to encourage a sustainable lifestyle within their home on a daily basis.
In making the change over to the winter season, I thought that now is a good time to talk about the top eco-friendly projects that will help you prepare your home for the winter months ahead.
1. Replace your shower head- Your shower head is a water-waster if it fills a gallon bucket in 20 seconds or less. Install a new WaterSense-labeled showerhead and you could save more than 2,300 gallons of water annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Add aerators to your faucet- You can save an additional 500 gallons of water annually simply by replacing a standard aerator, which delivers more than 2.5 gallons per minute, with a low-flow one, with a flow of 0.5 to 1 gallon per minute. Low-flow aerators will cut water and energy usage while maintaining adequate water pressure.
3. Install a water-efficient toilet- The EPA estimates that a family of four replacing a home's older toilets with WaterSense-labeled models average $90 in annual savings on their water bill and $2,000 in the toilet's lifetime.
4. Switch to florescent light bulbs- As the days get shorter, you'll keep the lights on more. Now is a good time to switch from traditional, incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. Energy Star-qualified CFLs use 75% less energy and last as much as 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Not ready to change every light bulb in your home? Start with your five most-used light fixtures, and you can save more than $65 annually.
5. Install a programmable thermostat- With a programmable thermostat, you can preset temperatures for your home and automatically reduce heating and cooling when you don't need them as much or when you’re away from your Winchester home. Energy Star says an average household can save about $180 annually on its energy bills by properly setting its programmable thermostat and maintaining those settings.
6. Build or install an insulated attic hatch- If your attic entry is not insulated, your home gains heat in summer and loses it in winter, greatly increasing your energy bills. Taking this on as a DIY project or hiring a contractor to do it will cut down on losing large amounts of heat in the winter and will result in a lower energy bill.
7. Stop chimney drafts- Even with the damper closed, your home's heated air goes up the chimney in winter and hot outdoor air comes down in the summer. When you're not using it your fireplace, plug the flue with a chimney balloon like the Draftstopper from Battic Door Energy Conservation Products.
8. Drain sediment from your water heater- To ensure your water heater's performance and longevity, drain it annually to get rid of accumulated sediment such as sand, minerals and other non-soluble debris that settles at the bottom of the tank. You’ll know to do this if your heater sounds like a coffee pot, making bubbling or burping noises. The basic strategy is to attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and run it outdoors or to a utility tub.
9. Replace your washing machine hoses- Washing-machine hoses don't last forever, regardless of the material, whehter reinforced rubber or stainless steel, even those touted as "burst-proof." A broken hose can deluge your Winchester home with hundreds of gallons of water per hour, and your homeowners insurance probably won't cover the flood. Check the hoses frequently for rusting, bulging, cracking, fraying and leaks. All are signs that you should replace the hoses now. While you're at it, check the hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers and refrigerator icemakers.
10. Add insulating window treatments- You can increase your comfort and cut your energy bills this winter with thermal window coverings. There are a wide variety of options out there from foam backed thermal curtains and liners to energy efficient window shades.
I hope that you’re able to tackle a few, or all, of these eco-friendly projects before the busy holiday season begins. Taking the time to do so will not only result in lower energy bills, but a warmer and more energy efficient home.
As always, as a Winchester Real Estate agent, I’m here to answer any questions you may have about the Winchester Real Estate market. Ready to buy or sell a home in Winchester? Contact me today to get started!
Sven Andersen
North of Boston Real Estate Expert
North of Boston Real Estate
View North of Boston Homes
Find Me on Facebook
Follow Me on Twitter
Link to Me on LinkedIn
View My Videos
Read My Reviews
Searching for a new place in Winchester to call home? The Sven Andersen Team makes it easy for you to search for your new Winchester home. This FREE, NO-OBLIGATION service can help you find the home of your dreams! Simply visit http://www.northofbostonlistings.com/ and fill out the form to start your auto-email home search today! It's just that easy! The Sven Andersen Team is always willing to help and will always respect your privacy; we leave it up to you to contact US when you're ready to buy or sell in the Winchester area.
If you want to learn more about selling your home visit: www.PriceMyNorthofBostonhome.com
If you want to get our 450 ways to sell your home fast visit: www.450waystosellfast.com
If you would like to take a video tour of Winchester, MA click here
If you, friends, relatives, or colleagues are considering buying or selling a home, condo, or land, please consider contacting Sven for assistance in your search. Sven coverage area includes: Winchester, Belmont, Medford, Woburn, Lexington, Arlington, Melrose, Stoneham, and Reading. We also offer a complimentary referral service, called "Anywhere Agents," to assist folks who are looking to buy or sell outside our coverage area, including international locations. We will interview prospective agents in the area(s) you or a family member are considering to assure you get the most knowledgeable Real Estate Professional to assist in your home buying/selling needs.