Weatherization
Weatherization can improve energy efficiency within your home. This lowers your utility bills while having a positive impact on the environment! Weatherization means making small changes that will keep your home insulated, block outside air flow, and maintain energy-dependent appliances.
The two biggest sources of a home’s energy usage are its HVAC system and hot water heater. Next in line are lighting and appliances. To make sure these systems run smoothly and efficiently you can make small changes that will increase their life span.
Some of the most useful weatherization changes include: air sealing with caulk, weather-stripping windows and doors, installing a water heater blanket, changing all light bulbs to LED’s, and insulating outlets.
Weatherization Tips:
Air leaks allow outside drafts into your home, making the HVAC system work harder than it should to heat/cool your home and costing you extra money. They are most commonly found around windows, doors, chimneys, or outdoor water faucets. Fight this problem by air sealing your windows and doors with caulk or weather strips! For large drafts, consider installing storm doors or double panes. A cheaper alternative is to apply insulation films to windows and place draft guards at the bottom of doors. Visit here for DIY draft stoppers using common household materials.
Installing a low-flow shower head can reduce hot water heating costs by using and wasting less hot water in your home. For maximum energy efficiency, install shower heads with low flow rates as low as 2.0 gallons per minute at water pressure of 80 pounds per square inch.
LED light bulbs are effective energy savers because they provide the same amount of light to your home for less money! According to Energy Star, replacing five of your most used light bulbs with LEDs can save you $75 a year.
- Insulate your water heater by installing a water heater blanket. This allows it to work more effectively for less money!
- Insulate your outlets with foam outlet gaskets.
- Insulate attic hatch/pull down stairs.
- Seal duct work to prevent air leaks and save money on heating/cooling your home.
Yearly maintenance ensures that your HVAC system is working properly and increases its lifespan, saving you money down the road. Insulation can shift, settle, or degrade over time, creating gaps in your thermal barrier. Damaged insulation forces your HVAC system to work harder to heat or cool the house. Regular inspection helps prevent these issues.
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Helpful videos:
Reference these videos for tips on using caulking, weather striping, and door sweeps to seal doors and windows; sealing outlets; and carrying out other weatherization tasks in your home.