After suffering through the final hot and humid months of summer fall is finally here. A colorful and temperate oasis of warm days and cool, crisp nights that hint at the colder winter to come.

Speaking of winter, what comes to mind when you think about the snowy season? Holidays, friends, family…or does it make you think of cold mornings rushing to pile on layers just to get warm? Cold nights wrapped up in a blanket on your sofa thinking about “that” room. You know, “that” room that is always hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. Or, is your home more of a grab bag of comfort issues in the winter? Drafty rooms, cold floors, and dry static air that make your home less than comfortable. Why are you living like this winter after winter, year after year? What is it that is making your home so uncomfortable?

Most people assume that insulation is the only reason their home is comfort challenged. Possibly, but that is often not the only reason. Other factors that make your home uncomfortable are often a result of inadequate air-sealing, inefficient heating and cooling systems in need of maintenance or an upgrade.

These issues not only make you not so cozy, they also contribute to high energy bills and can negatively effect your families health by reducing the air quality in your home. The current average annual energy costs to operate a home is $2,300. The EPA states the air quality in most homes is two to five times more polluted than the worst air outside! The lack of air-sealing does not contribute to poor interior air quality. It’s houses that are too tight, and dirty duct systems that aren’t sealed correctly and air filtration systems that aren’t good.

What can you do? Simple, start by getting a home energy audit from a certified building performance expert. A comprehensive audit is the only way to truly know what is under performing in your home and why. From there you can determine what energy improvements need to made. A basic energy retrofit package can reduce your energy use by 30-40% resulting in savings up to $920 per year. Proper ventilation can greatly improve the air quality in your home.

Right now is a great time to get a home energy audit and any necessary energy improvements made since it’s not winter and there are many rebates and incentives, some set to expire on December 31st, that will you save you even more. Don’t spend another winter wrapped up in your home. Get comfortable this winter. Get a home energy audit today.

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