What if you could put a giant shield around your home during the winter? Despite blowing snow and bone-chilling temperatures, your household would be guaranteed comfort and protection. While a physical shield that large is not possible, another type of protection can offer significant results - and with minimal effort.

Weatherization, also known as weatherproofing or winterizing, is an important step to protecting a home's interior. When completed, a weatherized home can be energy efficient and offer potential savings on one's monthly energy bill. As we kick off October's National Energy Awareness Month, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) has your fall checklist for eliminating unwanted chills in your home and staying energy efficient this winter. 

Think you know everything about energy saving practices, such as up to 25% of energy used to heat homes in the winter escapes through improper sealing? Starting October 1, take our quiz to test your knowledge on energy efficiency fact and fiction - you can even be entered to win an Amazon gift card. Este quiz will be open through October 15.

Other tips to help weatherize your home this fall include:

• Eliminate air leaks. Check attic entrances, ducts, doorframes and window frames to see if weather stripping is needed. Use rope caulk around unused doors and windows, but don’t permanently seal these shut if quick ventilation or escape in an emergency is needed.
• Trust the experts. Scheduling a $50-$100 heating system tune-up before seasonal use can reduce heating costs by 5%.
• Don’t ignore the small things. It may seem minor, but checking your furnace filter regularly and changing your ceiling fan’s rotation to clockwise can be impactful.
• Get the outside ready. Before the first snowfall, ensure your gutters are free of built-up leaves and debris to prevent ice from causing damage later.

I&M customers can complete an Revisión de Energía en Línea to identify additional energy-saving opportunities at home. Small changes can add up. For immediate savings, I&M will send homeowners a free kit of energy-saving products upon survey completion. Kits are limited to one per I&M account every three years.

A free Revisión de Energía en el Hogar can also identify ways to save for income-qualified customers. During this checkup, homeowners will walk through their home with an I&M energy expert to identify any existing concerns. They can also receive a free kit with energy-saving products. For more information and to schedule a Home Energy Checkup, visit our sitio or call (833) 566-0583.

Learn more about energy-saving practices, preparing your home for the cooler months ahead, understanding your energy use and more during October’s National Energy Awareness Month. Browse energy-saving tips, products, rebates and discounts to help kickstart your savings by visiting www.ElectricIdeas.com.

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