Winter Tips to Help Mainers Keep Warm and Save Energy

Heating fuel costs are high again this winter, and Efficiency Maine has put out a list of low-cost ways to cut how much energy your home uses to stay warm. Several of the tips are simple fixes you can do yourself: caulk small cracks and gaps, use spray foam for bigger openings, add door sweeps (peel-and-stick, cut to size with scissors), and apply weather stripping around doors and windows. Foam gaskets behind outlet covers and switch plates also block drafts, though you should follow the included instructions to avoid touching exposed wiring.

For windows, adding a second layer — storm windows, shrink film, or interior inserts — cuts heat loss. If you have rarely used doors or windows, like one leading to an unheated basement, rope caulk makes a removable seasonal seal you can peel off and reuse come spring. Inside, check that floor vents and registers aren't blocked by furniture or rugs, and that ducts are sealed and connected. If you heat with a boiler or furnace, having it cleaned and serviced each year keeps it running safely and efficiently, and extends its life. If your home has heat pumps, Efficiency Maine has a separate guide on getting the most savings out of them.

Efficiency Maine also offers a free Energy Efficiency Tips booklet (downloadable, or mailed on request) with more suggestions, along with online tools to compare annual heating costs across different systems and estimate water-heating costs for your household.