Air leaking from most homes comes from a series of leaks at various locations. You may not be able to locate or stop them all; just concentrate on stopping the leaks that can be reached safely and sealed cost-effectively.
Calk and weather-strip around windows and doors and seal gaps around electrical outlets and fireplaces. These openings can consume up to 40% of your home’s heating and cooling energy.
Every home is insulated, but more insulation can usually be added or upgraded to help maintain desired indoor temperatures.
If you’re not using a room in your home, there’s no need to waste energy dollars heating or cooling it. Try “zone heating or cooling” by closing vents and doors to unused rooms. To avoid damage to your central system when in use, close off no more than 1/4 of the area in your home.
Keep all exterior doors tightly shut and avoid frequent in-and-out traffic. Padded door runners help reduce drafts under doorways. In a pinch, towels also work.
On sunny mornings during the winter months, open your drapes on the eastern and southern windows of your home. In the afternoon, western windows will benefit most from exposure to the sun. On overcast days and at night, close your drapes and shades and keep northern windows covered.
Shade trees help cut the cost of air conditioning by shading buildings from the sun. TreePower, a partnership between Anaheim Public Utilities and the City’s Community Services Department, offers free shade trees to:
Anaheim homeowners
Multi-family complexes
Non-profit organizations
Public lands
Schools
Small businesses
Shield your house from hot summer sun by installing shades, awnings and sunscreens on windows facing the south or west.