by Denise Gabbard

Created on: June 09, 2009   Last Updated: June 27, 2009

Every homeowner needs a good preventive maintenance schedule, plus inexpensive, money-saving tips like these!

1. Conduct your own energy audit on your home. You're looking for leaks, which is anywhere you feel a draft. Use a long lighter and watch where the flame flickers, or even wet your hands and feel for a cool breeze.

2. Seal in the warmed or cooled air. Caulking, weather-stripping, and sealants are inexpensive and easy to apply to any leak-prone areas.

3. Next, check doors and windows for proper sealing, and to see if they need weather-stripping. Storm windows also need to seal tightly., with no leaks. New high-efficiency windows would be ideal, but if they aren't in the budget, seal existing ones with plastic sheeting to create an air pocket to seal out heat or cold.

4. Insulate! Most homes are insulated to the codes that were in effect at the time they were built, very low by today's standards. Indeed, with what we now know, there are homes being built in the northern parts of the country without furnaces, and these super-insulated homes cost very little to heat and cool.

A weekend spent beefing up the insulation in your home will keep you warm in winter, cool in summer, and have you smiling when you get your utility bills!

Two main areas are the attic and exterior walls. In your attic, seal openings for pipes, electric wires, or vents with expanding foam insulation. Check that there is an adequate vapor barrier and vents aren't blocked, then cover the entire attic floor with a high R-value insulation using fiberglass batts or blown-in cellulose. Your walls generally will need blown-in insulation. This may not be a DIY project, depending on what materials your interior walls are made of, and how handy you are.

5. Clean your gutters! Water damage can be severely cut down by ensuring that your drainage system is free-flowing. Every fall you should clear leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts. If you keep water flowing, you keep it out of your house, and cut down on backups, ice dams and icicles which can cause major damage.

6. Caulk every fall! Caulking keeps out warm or cold air, as well as moisture. Check all junctures of materials on the outside of your house, and make sure the caulk is still flexible and doing its job. If not, peel out the old stuff and put fresh caulk in place.

7. Seal your deck every other year to seal out the elements. Pressure wash it first, then use a high-quality, oil-based stain for best results

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