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As fall transitions to winter, it's time to start thinking about weatherizing your home for the cold months ahead. In the spirit of giving, we want to show you some ways that you can save money and energy this winter through weatherization. So, let's dig in.
Insulation is the perfect place to start when it comes to weatherizing your home. A well-insulated home can significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills throughout the year and will keep your home at a more consistent temperature, keeping you comfortable year-round.
Although you may not notice it, there are many common trouble areas in homes where air can freely pass between outdoor and indoor air. This air leakage occurs when outside air enters and your conditioned indoor air leaves your house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. This is where insulation comes into play. Through the proper use of insulation, you can combat the majority of leaks throughout your home.
On average, homes with insulation save up to 20% on their heating and cooling costs, and by adding insulation to attics, floors, crawl spaces, accessible basement rim joints, and other problem areas for leaks, you can save up to 10% on your total energy costs.
There are six types of insulation on the market that serve their respective purposes depending on the problem area. Those six types of insulation are:
Insulation costs vary based on the material and its R-value. The R-value of insulation is the unit used to explain its ability to reduce heat flow. The greater the R-value, the more the heat flow is reduced. Energy.gov developed a table of general averages for different types of insulation, their R-value, their cost per square foot, and the cost per square foot per R-value.
Energy.gov also developed a chart of the U.S. to show which R-value you should seek out depending on your location.
Even if you already have insulation installed, a certified contractor can evaluate your home's current R-value and recommend whether or not additional R-value is needed along with the types of insulation you will likely need. The table above suggests R-values by U.S. location.
If you're interested in improving your home without having to pay a contractor, we've come up with some products below that will help.
Mortite Rope Caulk is putty in a roll. It can be applied around the edges of windows to reduce uncontrolled air infiltration and ex-filtration, help reduce moisture condensation, and to seal against dust, dirt, and insects. It is installed by simply pressing it into place with your fingers. Easily applied, self adhering, yet easy to remove. Rope caulk is an especially good option for apartment residents. One roll consists of 45 linear feet of caulking cord, which is generally suitable for sealing 3 average-sized windows. The color is gray.
Prevent outside air from coming into your home and lower your energy bills with AM Conservation Foam Outlet Gaskets. Electrical boxes behind wall switches generally penetrate into the wall cavity, which makes them potential sources of air leakage. These polyethylene foam gaskets install behind electric switch plate covers to reduce drafts. For double or triple gang boxes multiple gaskets can be overlapped and trimmed to fit.
3M Mastic Foil Tape is a waterproofing repair tape used for indoor or outdoor sealing of low, medium, and high-pressure HVAC duct systems.
This high performance EPDM rubber P-profile weatherseal is guaranteed to remain flexible in temperatures from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 years. It will seal out drafts, dust and moisture around doors and windows. It is a self-adhesive application weatherstrip, suitable for gaps from 1/4" to 5/16".
Mortite Rope Caulk is putty in a roll. It can be applied around the edges of windows to reduce uncontrolled air infiltration and ex-filtration, help reduce moisture condensation, and to seal against dust, dirt, and insects. It is installed by simply pressing it into place with your fingers. Easily applied, self adhering, yet easy to remove. Rope caulk is an especially good option for apartment residents. One roll consists of 90 linear feet of caulking cord, which is generally suitable for sealing 3 average-sized windows. The color is gray.
