Sealing air leaks in the home saves money
(ARA) - All the tiny leaks in a typical home -- outlets, door and window
frames, exhaust fans, chimney dampers, pipe entrances, air ducts, and dryer
vents -- can add up to a wide-open window. With nearly half of the average homeowner's
energy use going toward heating and cooling, those small leaks can lead to higher
energy bills.
"Air infiltration is the number one cause of high energy bills,"
said Jeff Fancher of The Dow Chemical Company, manufacturers of Great Stuff
foam sealant. "Many of us are literally throwing money out the window."
Energy experts estimate that roughly 21 percent of a home's energy loss is
through windows and doors, and effective air sealing alone can cut energy bills
up to 10 percent.
"Filling voids around your home is an easy and cost-effective way to
make your home more energy efficient," said Richard Dale of The Home Depot.
Dale recommends homeowners take on the following projects now in order to save
on home heating bills this winter.
Seal leaks. Begin by attacking the little leaks that add up to big losses.
All exterior doors should have weather-stripping seals along the tops and sides,
with draft-sealing sweeps at the bottom. Use top-quality silicone caulk to seal
exterior spaces around doors and windows.
Fill gaps and cracks around pipe entrances, air ducts and electrical outlets
using moisture-resistant insulating foam sealant.
"Foam sealant expands to fill voids. It's easy to use and practical
for any number of applications," said Dale. Additionally, most foam sealant
can be sanded, painted and stained for a more appealing look if you're sealing
in a visible place.
Insulate and seal duct joints with non-hardening mastic. Despite its name,
plain old duct tape doesn't last as a heating system duct sealant; use mastic.
Uninsulated ducts can waste 25 percent of a home's heating energy.
Attack attics. Insulating ceilings is the best way to maximize heating and
cooling efficiency and get the biggest savings on energy bills. Attic floors
over flat ceilings are often the easiest part of the home to insulate. Before
adding insulation to the attic, it is important to first evaluate how much and
what type of insulation is needed. Twelve inches of insulation (R-38) is the
modern standard.
Loose fill or batt insulation is typically installed in an attic. While installation
costs may vary, blowing loose-fill insulation, such as fiberglass or cellulose,
is usually less expensive than installing batts. On the other hand, if you plan
to install the insulation yourself, new plastic-wrapped fiberglass batts offer
a simple do-it-yourself solution.
"The new-style batts slip easily into place and the plastic wrapping
eliminates the scratchiness associated with the versions of old," Dale
said.
Heating System. Have a professional clean and tune the furnace every other
year. Furnace filters should be cleaned monthly for cleaner air and energy efficiency.
Turning your thermostat down in the evening by 10 degrees also will save energy
and a little pocket change.
Courtesy of ARA Content
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