Water heaters
If you choose to keep a traditional electric
water heater (not a natural gas or oil-fired
water heater), wrap it in an insulation
jacket with an insulation value of a least
R-8, so that heat doesn't leak out.
Costs:
An insulation jacket will cost $15 to $25, but will save you 4 percent to 9 percent
in water heating costs.
Idea 2:
Radon removal
Radon is a radioactive gas that can cause some types of cancer -- and you can't see it or smell it. It comes from the decay of uranium in soil, and can get in your house through cracks and holes. Hardware stores carry tests that can help you determine if you've got radon.
Costs:
$10 to $50 for a testing kit; up to $4,000 to correct a radon problem.
Idea 3:
Duct sealing
Leaking ducts don't just waste energy;
they can also cause comfort issues. If
you find particular rooms difficult to
heat or cool, or ones that seem to get
stuffy, with little airflow, it's likely
a duct problem. Some problems may require
a more expensive fix, but you can make
changes fairly easily to exposed areas.
Costs:
About $3 for a roll of metal tape, which can be used on all visible duct areas. Sealing and insulating your ducts may improve efficiency by 20 percent.
Idea 4:
Venting
Make sure your garage does not vent into the house, because your car exhaust gives off harmful chemicals.
Costs:
It will cost you $200 to $400 to install venting fans to direct the air outdoors.
Garage
