October snowstorms are a sure sign that winter is on the way, and with it the sticker shock that comes with the season’s first heating bills. Luckily, local Green Alliance Business Partners are offering members of the Seacoast based consumer co-op discounts on a variety of eco-friendly products and services that can help to cut down on home heating costs.

“We have a lot of people coming in to buy weather stripping for doors and plastic that goes over windows to help keep out drafts,” according to Andrew Carberry, Manager at Middleton Building Supply in Hampton, NH. Green Alliance members get a 5 percent discount on all regularly priced, in-stock items at the local, family-owned hardware store.

“We also carry Nu-Wool insulation, a very green product made from 100% recycled paper,” Carberry reported. “It seals the entire wall cavity, including behind electrical outlets and other areas that are hard to reach with regular insulation.”

“Attic insulation is always a good way to go,” said Brian Burris, owner of the sustainable remodeling company Nicely Done.  The Hampton based builder offers Green Alliance members 5% off labor on attic insulation installation.

Burris also offered the following home weatherization advice to do it yourselfers.

“90 percent of it can be done with a caulking gun,” he said. “Anywhere you can feel air coming in, a caulking gun may be the easiest and cheapest solution.”

Homeowners looking for a more scientific approach to planning for home weatherization may want to contact Ed Henningsen of Henningsen Inspections. The Eliot, Maine based Energy Advisor and Home Inspector provides Green Alliance members with a 15 percent discount on energy audits.

“An energy audit is really the first step prior to home weatherization,” according to Henningsen. “We provide an estimate and a schedule of paybacks showing people where to start and where to get the most savings for their investment. The steps we identify can be done this year, next year, or over time.”

As a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater, Henningsen can help homeowners secure up to $8,000 in financing through the Federal Home Administration’s Energy Efficient Mortgage program. The money can be used to purchase new energy efficient heating systems, or to weatherize or insulate older homes.

For those thinking about building a new abode, it’s never too early to think about ways to save on home heating costs.

“Properly installing doors, windows and insulation will help to ensure a new home is weatherized from the start,” said Burris.