And Inexpensive.
Weatherization goes hand-in-hand with insulation in the Cheapest/Fastest category of your Energy-Savings Plan. Reducing air leaks can save you 10% or more on your energy bills. It's quick and easy to caulk, seal and weatherstrip seams, cracks and openings to the outside.
Is Your Home Airtight? It should be.
If your home leaks like the Titanic, you're losing money and energy for no good reason. One way to detect an air leak is to hold a lit incense stick next to your windows, doors, electrical boxes, plumbing fixtures, attic hatches, and other locations with a possible pathway to the outside. If the smoke travels horizontally instead of up, you've got a leak.
Weatherize... But Where?
Caulk and weatherstrip doors and windows Caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducts, or electrical wiring penetrate exterior walls, floors and ceilings. (This prevents pest infestations, too!)
Seal holes in insulation by stapling sheets of plastic over the hole and caulking the edges. Windows account for 10%-25% of your heating bill. Do you have single pane windows?
Install storm windows, or replace your existing windows with double-pane windows. Or tightly seal the existing windows with heavy duty, clear plastic film (cheapest alternative). If purchasing replacement windows, take time to research low-e or spectrally sensitive coatings, and available framing materials including wood, vinyl, aluminum, and fiberglass.
Keep the fireplace damper CLOSED when not in use.
Congratulations!
If you've taken the trouble to Insulate and Weatherize your home, you get an 'E' for tackling an Easy, Economical part of your Energy Plan-you've already saved yourself BIG BUCKS.
But there's MORE easy stuff you can do, if you're psyched up to save more. Let's look at the BIG BUDGET BUSTER of your energy bill-Heating and Cooling.
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