Winter Tips to Help Mainers Keep Warm and Save Energy

There’s no denying it: it’s going to be expensive to heat homes this winter. While Mainers can’t control the cost of heating fuels, they can control how much of it they use.

To help homeowners better manage their energy consumption, Efficiency Maine has compiled these affordable heating and weatherization tips for sealing homes against drafts and using existing heating systems more efficiently.

Clean Boilers and Furnaces

Make sure your boiler or furnace is cleaned and serviced annually by qualified personnel for optimum efficiency. Cleaning makes the heating system safer and much more efficient and makes it last longer.

Check Floor Vents/Registers

You can improve your home’s energy efficiency by making sure that the edges of vents and floor registers are sealed well where they meet with the wall or floor. Make sure all ducts are connected and sealed, and all vents and floor registers are clear of furniture or rugs that could impede airflow.

Apply Caulk and Spray Foams

Spray foam insulation and caulk are often used to fill cracks and gaps where air could travel between outdoors and indoors or between floors. To make a room warmer in winter, try air sealing with caulk, spray foam, or both. Use caulk for smaller cracks and gaps and spray foam for larger openings.

Install Door Sweeps

Install door sweeps to keep out cold drafts. Many door sweeps can be cut to length with scissors and installed in minutes with provided peel-and-stick strips.

Seal Receptacles and Switch Boxes

Seal outlets and switch boxes with foam gaskets to reduce drafts and create a barrier between warmer and cooler air. The pre-cut foam gaskets are inexpensive and easy to install. Be sure to follow the instructions that come with the seals to avoid getting shocked by exposed electrical wires.

Apply Weather Stripping

Use weather stripping for doors and windows to keep out cold drafts in winter. Most versions can be either nailed on or applied with provided peel-and-stick strips.

Apply Rope Caulk

Consider installing a temporary seal around rarely used windows and doors, such as a basement door that is unused in the winter. Many types of rope caulk can be easily removed in the spring, stored in a plastic bag, and reused.

Reduce Heat Loss Through Windows

Adding an extra layer to windows makes your home even more energy efficient. To reduce heat loss in winter, install storm windows, transparent plastic window shrink film, or indoor window inserts.

Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Heat Pumps

If you have heat pumps, refresh your memory about how to maximize their effectiveness and potential energy savings. Visit our Heat Pump User Tips webpage for more information and to download a copy of the brochure.

For more winter energy-saving tips visit this webpage.

Our Energy Efficiency Tips booklet offers an even wider selection of suggestions on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home. To download a copy, click here. To request a printed copy, email info@efficiencymaine.com or call 866-376-2463. To have one or several copies delivered to your home, fill out the online order form and select “GEN – Energy Saving Tips” from the drop-down menu.

Efficiency Maine also has useful online tools to help you compare the annual heating costs of different heating systems and approximate the costs of heating water for a typical family.