The biggest factor in having a more energy
efficient home is to correct airflow problems. You really don’t
need a home energy audit by a professional heating efficiency
crew. All it takes is a little DIY effort to make sure air is
flowing where you want it to flow and isn't flowing where you
don’t want it to flow. A few DIY energy efficient projects can
save you a lot of money and have an energy efficient home. Here
are a few DIY home energy conservation projects and ideas to
help you out.
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Small cracks in your home that allows air
to enter can be as bad for your heating and cooling as leaving a
window open. Homes that have undergone small changes to
accommodate updates such as wiring can lose a great deal of
energy where the hole were not properly sealed. Caulk all small
holes where wires go through walls or floors. Check brick
facades and the outside of your home for small cracks and signs
of wear that may be counteracting insulation.
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If your home has a chimney make sure it is
sealed with high-temperature cement and metal flashing at the
roof line. Keep the fire place flue closed when it is not in use
to prevent air flowing indoors from the outside or outside from
the inside. Tight fitting glass fireplace doors can also help
keep cold air where it belongs.
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Plumbing vent stacks also need to be sealed
where they penetrate to the outside. In general look for any
holes between the attic and the heated space below and seal them
as much as possible. Use weather stripping on the attic entry
door as well as insulation on the attic-side of the door.
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Having enough insulation is key to keeping
your home efficient. Eighteen (18) inches of energy efficient
insulation like fiberglass batting or cellulose insulation in
the attic will greatly improve your heating and cooling systems.
However, the attic does need air flow, so make sure air vents
are clear and unobstructed.
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Check each window to insure it closes
tightly and locks. All leaky windows should be weather stripped
just like doors. Electrical outlets and switches provide easy
access for cold air to enter any room. This can be prevented by
installing foam gaskets behind them.
Old windows and doors
need to be checked every year for air infiltration. If they
don’t fit properly seal them with caulking or weather stripping.
If they are warped heavily, replace them with a new energy
efficient model. Expanding foam is also an option to use around
doors and windows.
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On the outside, seal laundry vents, water
faucets, electrical outlets, and other hookups and plumbing that
penetrates the house walls. Install storm windows and doors
where you don't already have them to create a buffer of air that
retains heat and coolness. When it comes time to change siding,
use foam insulated siding.
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Basements and crawl spaces should be sealed
too. If you have a crawl space, place a layer of plastic over
the ground in the crawl space to help insulate the area below
the floor. Regular basements with concrete walls can be a major
problem for efficiency. Consider attaching insulation to the
concrete walls or building an insulated wall.
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Choose appliances that have Energy Star
ratings and replace any incandescent lights bulbs with compact
fluorescent light bulbs.
