Ask yourself three questions:

• Was your home built before 1980?
• Do you have high energy bills?
• Is your house cold or drafty?

If you answered “yes” to even one of the above questions, it’s time to climb up into your attic and check the insulation before the cold winter sets in.

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Tackle a few of these easy maintenance projects this weekend and you'll have a safer, more energy-efficient home year 'round.

Add another layer of attic insulation
Heat rises. And since the majority of homes built before 1980 are under-insulated, it rises through the ceiling, past the roof and into the atmosphere because of a lack of insulation in the attic. As a general rule, if you have less than 12 inches of attic insulation, you probably need more.

Clean gutters and spouts
Gutters and spouts clogged with leaves, nuts and other debris can cause damp or wet basements, cracking or sinking foundations and floors, and damage to vinyl siding and roofing soffits. In the winter, clogging debris will prevent ice and water from flowing properly and can lead to damaged or leaking gutters.

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It’s hot. It’s really hot, especially during the long summer months.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Heat Wave

• Hang drapes or blinds to help keep direct sunlight out and keep the room cool.
• Check your air-conditioning unit to make sure it works properly, and clear away debris from the unit.
• Remove storm windows and reinstall window screens.
• Add an extra layer of insulation to help stop heat transfer and keep cool air in the house.
• Install weatherstripping around windows and doors.
  
  
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Walk through your home and circle the descriptions below that best fit your house. Then calculate your home’s energy-efficiency rating.

Attic Insulation
Test: Use a ruler to measure how much insulation you have in the attic area. ·6 inches or less (2 pts.) ·7 to 11 inches (4 pts.) ·12 inches or more (6 pts.) Tip: Improving your home’s insulation is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways to reduce energy usage. If you have less than 12 inches, you probably need more.

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