Weatherize Your Home for Efficiency and Comfort

Through the heat of the summer we look forward to the cooler temperatures of fall. When cool mornings arrive we realize that winter is not far behind. Now is the time to take steps to reduce winter energy expenditures and make your living environment comfortable. Here’s a starting point for items to check in your home.

Insulation
If the attic has four or more inches of insulation, added insulation may not be cost effective. If there is less or no insulation, consider adding six to nine inches of batt or blanket insulation, or six to 12 inches of blown-in insulation. You need enough insulation to provide an insulating value of R19 to R38. The R-value is printed on the batt insulation cover. The thickness of blown insulation indicates the R-value. About 12 inches of blown insulation will have an R-value of 30.

Windows
Repair or replace broken or cracked windows. Make sure windows and doors are closed snug and tight, caulked and weather stripped. Use a piece of paper to check if the windows and doors close tight. Close the window or door on the paper; if the paper can be removed, there is not a tight fit.

Weather Strip
Weather stripping and caulking can reduce air leakage 20 to 40 percent. It helps the house keep heat from leaking away. Weather stripping is for moving joints, such as where windows and doors close against a frame. Check local home centers for self-stick 1/4 inch foam, self-stick V-strips or rolled vinyl or felt strips to use on doors and windows.

Insulate around electrical outlets using special weather stripping foam gaskets. Be sure to turn off the electricity before removing electrical cover plates.

Make a draft dodger to prevent air infiltration under doors from a tube of heavy fabric filled with sand, perlite or Styrofoam beads. Place it against the bottom of the door or window to block air leaks.

Air Infiltration
Air infiltration or leaks account for the largest waste of energy in a home. Check all areas of the home where wiring and plumbing pipe openings are cut through the floor, ceiling or wall. The area where walls and floors or walls and ceiling come together are also locations for air infiltration. Caulk around these openings. Caulking is used in areas where there is no movement in the structure. If you plan to paint the area that is being caulked, be sure to use a caulk that can be painted. If there are very large cracks or holes, pack with putty or other materials, then fill with siliconized acrylic caulk or spray foam.

Attic and Crawl Space
Crawling around your attic or crawl space may not be the way you want to spend your day. However, it can save you money. Frequent visits to the attic and under the house can help you spot costly ductwork problems. Ducts can come loose or detached and heat or cool the open space instead of the interior of your home as designed.

Weatherizing your home can create immediate and long-term benefits, which ensures healthy, safe and comfortable dwellings that are more energy efficient.