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HOME SEPTEMBER 2018 6 (StatePoint) — Weatheriz- ing your home for each sea- son can make it more com- fortable — but how to do it can be confusing. Here are four common weatherizing myths — busted! — to help get your home ready for cooler weather to come. Myth 1: It doesn't mat- ter where your thermo- stat is placed. Truth: Location, loca- tion, location! You may be spending more on heating and cooling than you need to be if your thermostat is in the wrong place. Placed in direct sunlight, you run the risk of getting false readings, as it can "think" the room is warmer than it actually feels, causing your air conditioner to turn on when it isn't needed. Simi- larly, a thermostat placed near the kitchen often reads that the home is far warmer than it truly is due to the stove and oven. The best location is on an interior wall, centrally located and near areas where you spend the most time, ensuring these rooms are the most comfortable. Myth 2: Closed curtains and blinds in cold weath- er prevent heat escape. Truth: According to the Department of Energy, shades and drapes can reduce heat loss from a warm room by up to 10 per- cent. However, opening cur- tains and blinds during the day when direct sunlight hits can also allow for a warming effect. In winter, draperies should be closed at dusk but opened at dawn. In addition, heat escape through windows can be prevented with window insulation products such as Duck brand Roll-On Win- dow Kits, which create a barrier between outdoor air and a home's interior, help- ing block drafts and air leaks. And, it's also a myth that these are hard to install: A pre-taped edge makes for easy roll-on appli- cation, requiring no meas- uring, while fitting snuggly to indoor window frames to provide an airtight, crystal- clear seal. Myth 3: It's expensive to draft-proof your home. Truth: Homeowners can actually save hundreds of dollars annually on heating and cooling costs with prop- er weatherization early in the season. How do you do it? There are many inexpen- sive, do-it-yourself weather- ization products that are easy on the wallet and easy to install, requiring mini- mal — if any — tools. Windows and doors are the two largest draft sources in any home and should be top priorities for homeown- ers. Duck brand MAX Strength Silicone Weather- strip Seals are quick to install and seal various size gaps around windows and doors that may be allowing air to escape. Myth 4: It's cheaper to keep your home at a con- stant temperature. Truth: A common mis- conception is that it's better to keep your home at a con- stant temperature, even when you're not home. How- ever, if the system runs less during the day, it uses less energy. According to Ener- gy.gov, you can save as much as 10 percent a year on heat- ing and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees from its normal set- ting for eight hours a day. Still need more help? For additional tips and informa- tion, text "Weather" to 84444 to access Duck brand's Pro- ject Selector, an online resource for project guides, instructional videos and more, or visit DuckBrand.com. Don't let common myths scare you. Weatherizing can be an affordable, easy do-it- yourself project — especial- ly if you plan ahead. Submitted photo While some people think closing curtains and drapes can keep out the cold, often it lets out the warming sun. Insulate windows to keep drafts from cooling your house. Common weatherization myths debunked The benefits of installing energy-efficient windows MUSKEGO — They are literally the windows to your world, and then some. "Windows offer a home natural light, ventilation, privacy, and even added curb appeal, but if they are old and outdated, it is like- ly that your windows are negatively impacting your home's energy efficiency," said Adam Glende, exteri- or product specialist with Callen Construction, a full- service remodeling compa- ny. "It's important to consid- er upgrading to energy- efficient windows because they offer so many added benefits, from energy and cost savings, to protection of items inside your home, to less maintenance." One of the main reasons to replace existing win- dows with new, energy-effi- cient models involves bet- ter insulation. "Here in Wisconsin, we can experience blazing heat in the summer and bitter cold during the win- ter months. Not only can this be bothersome when you're outside the home, but these drastic tempera- ture changes can create hot and cold spots within a home, which is a recipe for an uncomfortable environ- ment," Glende said. "How- ever, properly insulated windows for m a barrier against hot and cold tem- peratures, reducing dependence on an air con- ditioner and furnace." A straightforward bene- fit of energy-efficient win- dows is their positive impact on the environ- ment. "Energy Star-labeled windows lower a home's overall energy use because they significantly reduce a HVAC unit's workload," he said. In other words, a home uses less power from fossil fuel sources such as coal and natural gas. If a home uses less power, you can expect to see a drastic reduction in heating and cooling bills. "When windows are not properly sealed, air can easily escape, causing the air conditioner or furnace to work overtime in order to maintain an optimum temperature in the home," Glende said. Moreover, energy-efficient windows can help minimize the peak heating and cooling loads, which, in turn, can help reduce the size of a HVAC unit. The sun gives off ultravi- olet rays, which are capa- ble of fading floors, rugs, pictures, fur niture, and more whenever sunlight shines through your win- dows. "However, energy-effi- cient windows are made with a special protective coating that blocks up to 98 percent of UV rays, so you won't notice damage to the home or personal items," Glende said. An added benefit of ener- gy-efficient windows is their ability to silence noise. Because they are so exceptional at sealing out the external environment, sounds produced by every- thing from traffic, trains and sirens are significant- ly reduced. This is espe- cially helpful for people who live in communities where the homes are built close together. Since energy-efficient windows diminish the transfer of energy, the amount of condensation that for ms on windows noticeably decreases, which lowers the risk of mold forming. The result is a more comfortable envi- ronment for those who suf- fer from allergies and/or asthma. "The UV-resistant coating also cuts down on maintenance in the spring and summer because it protects against stains caused by water and dirt. "Replacing current win- dows with energy-efficient ones is far more than just another repair to cross off on a home improvement checklist," Glende said. "Rather it is an upgrade that directly impacts the comfort and upkeep of the entire home, all while offering energy savings in the process."

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