"There are a number of improvements homeowners can make today that will more than pay for themselves over time," says Chris Pickering, vice president of marketing at Ply Gem windows. "With the 2009/2010 energy efficiency tax credits in full swing, now is an ideal time to make cost saving upgrades to the home."

Ply Gem, a leader in the building products industry, offers some helpful tips to prepare your home for the winter season and beyond:

* Add insulation to your attic to reduce heat loss and drafts.

* Install glass doors on fireplaces to reduce drafts and make sure your damper is working properly.

* Clean vents and air ducts and replace filters to promote air flow and ease the strain on your heating and cooling system.

* Drain a few gallons from your water heater to remove sediment and help it operate more efficiently.

* Upgrade to insulated siding, like Mastic Home Exteriors by Ply Gem Structure EPS, to efficiently lower heating and cooling costs for the home by up to 25 percent.

* Wrap your hot water pipes in insulation pre-formed for that purpose to reduce heat loss and ease the workload on your water heater.

* Check around doors and windows and replace damaged caulk or weather-stripping.

* Replace old single-pane windows with energy efficient, dual- or triple-pane models to reduce heat loss in winter and keep hot air out and cool air in during summer.

"Windows are a particularly good place to save energy and money," Pickering says. "Advancements in technology like Ply Gem's Low-E coated glass limit heat loss or gain without reducing the amount of light that comes into a home. Other advancements like Argon fills between window panes have made windows more efficient than ever before and can be a major component in lowering utility bills."

Installing ENERGY STAR-rated windows can save more than $450 per year in heating and cooling costs. Plus, with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, you can receive a tax credit for 30 percent of the purchase price of new energy-efficient windows up to a maximum of $1,500. Window manufacturers are helping homeowners break down the benefits with Web tools like the one from Ply Gem. Do the math and you'll find that new windows, along with these other energy saving tips, can pay off immediately and for years to come.

Courtesy of ARAcontent