Insulation

Insulation Links

Insulation Tips

Heat Loss Diagram

 

Testing Your Home for Energy Loss

The Dollar Bill Test Place a dollar bill between the door and jamb or between the window sash and sill. With the door or window closed attempt to remove the dollar bill. If it slides out easily, you are losing energy.

Flashlight Test Shine a flashlight around the edges of your door at night. If you can see light from the other side, you are losing energy.

Moist Hand Test Pass a moist hand around the edge of your doors and windows. Where you feel a draft you are losing energy. This test works best on cold, windy days.

 

Tip: Caulk around the dryer vent, windows, exhaust fan vents and any other fittings mounted to the sides of your home. Fill cracks larger than 1/2" with expandable foam or foam "backer rods" before caulking.

Replace Door Sweeps: In a few years even the best door sweeps need replacement or adjusting. Is it Wintertime? Karen's Reminder "Until you have the sweep replaced - Use a towel behind the door for a draft stop. It is a great draft stopper and can be used for floor mopping as well!"

 

Home Insulation Installed Correctly Helps Heat Loss.

Sealing Windows and Doors and all protrusions is also very important.

 

HEAT LOSS DIAGRAM

 

Helpful Hints

· Air Conditioner: Check air conditioning filters frequently and replace them when they're dirty. Don't try to vary the temperature between different rooms in your home by closing duct outlets or you'll unbalance the system and reduce its efficiency. When you are away for several hours, turn the unit off. Keep the thermostat at 78 degrees in the summer, a comfortable temperature for most people. Every degree of temperature results in a four percent increase or decrease in your utility bill.

· Household Chores: Typical kitchen chores can add unwanted heat and humidity to your home. During the summer, plan meals that require little or no cooking. Use a microwave oven or cook outdoors whenever possible to reduce any unnecessary sources of heat. If you use the oven, carefully set a metal container containing cold water in the oven after you are finished cooking to absorb the heat. Don't forget to use a protective covering like a pot holder to prevent burns, and make sure there are no plastic pieces on the container which could melt. This is also a good source of hot water for clean-up.

· Landscaping: Blocking the sun's energy before it reaches your house is the most effective method of fighting summer heat. Use grass, shrubs and flowers to reduce the heat directly outside your house that would normally be reflected by driveways, sidewalks and other paved areas.

· Window Treatments: For draperies, select tightly-woven fabrics to reduce the amount of heat gain. Lower your window shades to reflect most of the sun's energy back through the window glass. Also, use solar control films that stick to window panes to reduce glare without blocking your view.

 

 

http://www.BrandsConstruction.com

 

More Useful Insulation Related Links:

Affordable Comfort, Inc., is a not for profit organization. It presents conferences on energy conservation, and publishes information.

Visit Affordable Comfort at www.affordablecomfort.org

Building Technology Roadmaps were developed by the U.S. Department of Energy, working in cooperation with industry. CIMA and other insulation industry associations actively worked with DOE in developing the Residential Buildings Technology Roadmap.

View buildings technology roadmaps at http://www.eere.energy.gov/

Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation (CMHC) has information including residential design, building materials, energy conservation, with other important subjects available on its site.

Visit CMHC at www.cmhc.ca

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offers energy conservation information on its web site.

Visit USDOE at www.energy.gov

 

 

http://www.BrandsConstruction.com