Winter Home Improvement Projects For Under $50

Monday, March 1, 2004

Winter Home Improvement Projects For Under $50 (NAPSA)—As temperatures drop across the nation, Americans are preparing their homes to make them more airtight and energy efficient throughout the winter months. But creating a more airtight home can result in unseen hazards in the air, says Danny Lipford, host of the nationally syndicated home improvement show, “Today’s Homeowner.” “With heating costs on therise, homeowners can do their part to create a more energy efficient home this winter. But keep in mind that when you seal out the cold temperatures, you can seal in harmful particles.” While energy efficient, airtight homes may save on heating costs, smoke, dust, and mold spores sealed inside can make the air you breathe indoors up to 100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Lipford recommends the following projects—each costing less than $50—that can be completed in a matter of hours or even minutes: * Check the exterior perimeter of your homefor cracks or openings. If you have gaps in the door or window frames, seal them with a quality exterior caulk to help save money on your energy bills. If you have a crack in your patio or sidewalk, a concrete repair tube works well. ($20.00 for a eaulk gun and caulk and $1.79 for a 5.5 ounce cement squeeze repair tube.) * Upgrade to a high efficiency filter, like Filtrete’s new refillable filter. Doing so will help you and your family breathe cleaner air since thefilter captures 10 times more dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, mold and other tiny particles in the air than a fiberglassfilter. Energyefficient homes may save on heating costs, but be sure to upgradeto a high efficiencyfilter, like Filtrete’s new refillable filter, to capture smoke, dust, and mold spores sealed inside. This filter is easy to use, store and promotes less waste. You should change these filters every 2-3 months throughout the year; an easy way to rememberis to do this on the first day of each new season. ($15.00 includes filter with reusable frameand refill insert.) * Fix drafty windows by installing a window insulator kit. Apply the clear insulating film to the inside of the window and use a hairdryer to “shrink wrap” the film to prevent wrinkles. ($15.00 for a kit can cover three to five windows.) * Insulate your water heater and pipes to keep utility bills down. Simply wrap a water heater blanket around your hot water heater and insulate the pipes with hot water pipe wraps. ($15.00 for a water heater blanket and $20.00 for water pipe wraps.) For more tips, log on to www.filtrete.com.

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