Want to save money on heating this winter? Here are 5 steps you can take to keep the heat in.

The previous post in the Simple Ways to Save Money this Winter series focused on with exterior walls.  Here we discover 5 other insulation solutions that are not only inexpensive but can be done in a short amount of time and don’t require you to tear down walls to accomplish.

Save money and heat with these easy insulation tips:

To determine the best place to start in your home, take an energy audit.  You can either find a local energy auditor, or take your own free energy audit.  Once you’re ready, here are some of the quickest, easiest and least expensive places to insulate.

1. Plumbing: Inadequate insulation can create substantial heat loss, in and around your plumbing.

• Stuff steel wool in gaps around the pipes using gloves and a chop stick or fondue fork to push in.
  Then fill with fiberglass or foam insulation
• Caulking afterwards will give the project that “finished” look.
• Add foam covers to hot water pipes. This will save on the loss of heat as the water travels to its destination. Of course, tank-less water heaters are the greenest way to go, and most luxurious!
• Gas pipes should be checked as well.
  TIP: Look under sinks, in the laundry room, in cellars and anywhere else that plumbing comes out from the wall.

2. Duct Work: Seal around heat ducts and AC vents. The cellar is a good place to start here.

• Stuff steel wool in gaps around the pipes using gloves and a chop stick or fondue fork, then fill with natural fiber, fiberglass or foam insulation.
• Caulking afterwards gives the project a “finished” look.

3. Sill: This is the area where the ceiling meets the floor of your 1st floor.

• Go around the sill plate and fill in gaps with natural fiber or foam.

4. Seal Foundation with Moisture Block: Foundation repair can be very expensive if left untreated

• Consider using liquid rubber waterproofing to keep moisture from damaging your foundation.

5. Attack Door or Hatch

• Place a blanket on fold down stairs, making sure the blanket is touching the edges. When closing the stairs, you create a insulated seal.
• Bead or squirt caulking, or use spray foam around the gaps in the hatch.
• Use fiberglass to insulate around the hatch.

Remember: Choose NATURAL insulation whenever you can.As you can see, there are many options to fix these areas.  If you have other ideas, please add them in a comment. We’d love to hear your heat saving solutions.

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About the author:  Loretta White is a respected member of the global manufacturing industry and brings over 20 years experience in consulting. Loretta lectures on: Sales, Business Development and Green Business practices and is a published author on sustainability techniques.