New Mexico has been getting just a taste of cooler weather this week but before you know it, winter will be here. While you are probably prepared to shield yourself from the cold, are you doing the same thing for your home's interior? PNM energy efficiency engineer, Eric Seelinger, said the time to prepare is now. "While the weather is nice right now, it's a great time to go around your house and weatherize," Seelinger said. An easy rule of thumb is to work from the outside in - start with your doors and in your windows by using weather stripping to seal your house in. The obvious starting spots include any gaps, cracks or crevices around perimeter of your home. That includes sealing in that evaporative cooler and draining its water feeder hoses. Seelinger said these basics can save you a ton of energy and some cash. "Even a crack around your door, if it's not fully sealed, that's like having a 10-inch window open so it's those little spaces when you add them all up make a big difference." Winter days are shorter, and people tend to use a lot of energy lighting the house. PNM said consider switching your traditional bulbs to CFLs. If that is not your flavor, you can try new LED light bulbs which are even more energy efficient - but be warned, they are an investment. Now is also the time to inspect your furnace for leaks. "Sometimes that combustion chamber, over time, will leak carbon monoxide," Seelinger explained. If your heater's condition is questionable, call a professional to check it out. Even after that, go that extra mile to keep your family safe. "In addition to your smoke alarms put, a CO detector," Seelinger said.
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