Blame it on the Rain

"Success Occurs when Opportunity Meets Preparation" Zig Ziglar

2018 is almost over and the winter months are upon us! Some people love the snowy winter time of sipping hot chocolate by the fire while others count the days until they can relax on the beach sipping a fruity drink. Regardless of y

our preferred climate, most of us can agree that we would rather save our money for fun experiences instead of the increased energy costs when temperatures drop. Here are a few home tips to prepare for the winter months brought to you by the minngo team. Change the Direction of Ceiling Fans Who knew this was a thing? Last year when I sent out this bit of information I was surprised at the response from people who had never thought to flip the switch on their ceiling fan to change the direction of the blades. Ceiling fans should rotate clockwise at a low speed to pull cool air up. The gentle updraft pushes warm air, which naturally rises to the ceiling, down along the walls and back to the floor. This makes the room feel warmer, which allows you to lower the thermostat temperature and can save you as much as 15% on heating bills! Caulk (or Re-Caulk) Your Windows Drafty windows mean cold air is coming into your home, which could lead to higher energy bills. On the other hand, replacing all your windows with storm windows is a major expense that most of us don't want to do. A cheaper alternative to replacing your windows is proper caulking. There is a right way, and a wrong way to apply caulk. We suggest reviewing some helpful videos or having a local handyman assist to get the job done right. Install a Programmable Thermostat Technology takeover is in full for the savy home owners! With tools like programmable thermostats, you don’t even have to get out of bed in the morning to turn the heat up. With many of the thermostats on the market you can pre-schedule your ideal home temperature throughout the day to maximize efficiency. Can’t remember if you left it on when you headed out the door to work? The convenience of the app on your phone allows you to adjust when you are out of the house. Add New Insulation Making sure your home is properly insulated can go a long way. If you add insulation to attics, floors and crawlspaces, you can reduce unwanted air leaks and save significantly on your heating bills. You can add more insulation yourself or hire a home energy audit professional to evaluate your house and do the work. Homeowners can also follow Energy Star’s suggested insulation levels that match their climate and area. Also, consider trimming overhanging tree branches on roofs. When wet, the water’s extra weight can cause the branch to break, possibly hitting your roof, a window or even a power line.