We are in Michigan, and our winters can get pretty rough. So far this year we have been lucky temperature wise, like today is 56 and sunny. But just 4 days ago it was in the mid 20's. Last winter we had a lot of 2 and 3 degree days and nights. And we new that we needed to do some extreme winterizing this year to keep the gas bill under control. Last years averaged in the $300 range.YIKES!!!

So Saturday morning bright and early we headed to the local home improvement store and spent 2 months gas bill on insulation, caulk and various other winterizing items. We also placed our order for on new 95% efficiency furnace from a local heating and cooling company.

They are actually here today installing my furnace, but Saturday and Sunday we spent emptying the attic and blowing in the insulation. Let me tell you that it is messy but EXTREMELY WELL WORTH THE MESS!!!

We used roughly 60 bags of Cellulose insulation made from 85% recycled content, it was easy to install over existing insulation, but we chose to remove the 50+ year old insulation that was there. It's a no-itch product and has extended attic coverage. I as far as I can tell it will be a massive energy savings.

We have a natural wood fireplace and anyone who has a fireplace will tell you when you burn a fire you have a draft/pull from the chimney. In our case though we didn't just have a draft/pull we had an all out breeze, you would swear there was a window open somewhere in the house. Since blowing in the insulation we have had a couple fires with no draft at all. Plus the furnace ran ALOT less and we expect with the 95% efficiency furnace it will run even less.

I also discovered the the vent for my dryer was broken so it was not closing properly which meant a huge opening for cold air to blow in. For $6.00 and a little caulk I replaced the vent and sealed it up tight and my laundry room is now ALOT warmer too.

SO my advise to everyone is to winterize no matter the cost, because in the end you will save on the gas bill.  Also check with your tax guy/girl and your local gas company to check on energy rebates. In our case we found out will will get a $500 rebate from the gas company roughly $100 tax credit for the insulation and our tax guy is checking on a couple other rebates. I will follow up in February and let you know the difference in the gas bills from last year. I expect them to be cut in half if not more.

Now I need some energy efficient appliances and I will be all set.