November 17th, 2008

When it comes to sealing openings around doors and windows, the quickest, most inexpensive method is to use caulk.

For duct work, however, most experts now recommend using mastic, which is a glue-like substance that can be painted on with a paintbrush. (Stay away from duct tape. Despite its name, it dries, cracks and falls off those ducts much sooner than you’d like.) Sealing up the duct work is a potential do-it-yourself job, depending on how friendly you are with your attic.

Older homes are most vulnerable to cracks because the building has settled. So even if a crack looks small or shallow, be sure to check it because it may have traveled through the wall, creating an opening, experts say. Be sure to seal it. Also, weather stripping helps with those pesky openings around doorjambs. It’s self-adhesive and comes in rolls that can be cut to size.

For more detailed information on sealing your home consult these Energy Star program tips.

Insulate

Insulation is often the next stop. In most cases, Swise said, blown insulation can be used to avoid spending money on drywall and material such as “batt” insulation. Blown insulation can be made of cellulose, fiberglass or rock wool.

“Sometimes you have to do both, seal holes and insulate certain areas, especially in attics, because the draft is so powerful that one project is not a enough,” Swise said. “That’s why the blower door test can be helpful.”

The rule of thumb for when insulation is needed, if your attic insulation is 6 or 7 inches deep, then you should benefit by adding more, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.

To see the recommended levels of insulation for your area of the country, check out these Energy Star guidelines on insulation.

To get away from health concerns related to fiberglass insulation, suspected of releasing particles that can irritate the lungs, consider using alternatives such as:

• Soy insulation, which according to the United Soybean Board, is as good or better than traditional batting. It is formaldehyde-free and helps decrease the amount of lumber used for a project, some experts say. Frequently, though, soy insulation requires new construction.

• Natural fiber products such as cellulose insulation, made from paper waste, which reduces greenhouse gases at the point of manufacture, as well as when it is used.

• Polyicynene foam insulation, a spray-in type of insulation that can be very effective and generally pricier than other options. There are two types, open-celled insulation, which is water permeable, and closed-cell insulation. Each has  pros and cons that should be reviewed for the type of application planned. Find more information from the Department of Energy’s Insulation Fact Sheet.

Many cities are promoting weatherization as way to conserve natural gas, heating oil and electricity this winter, and not all solutions need to be expensive.

Chicago’s Mayor, Richard M. Daley is a big proponent of weatherization. Last year, he offered winter preparedness fairs, where residents picked up energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs and relatively inexpensive kits of plastic sheeting and tape that could be used to seal up drafty windows.

“The bottom line is that every dollar you save on home heating is a dollar that can be put to good use-on food, clothing, shelter and education to help improve your family’s quality of life,” Daley said in a statement.

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer made a related point at the Democratic National Convention while connecting energy conservation and national security, noting that “the most important barrel of oil is the one you don’t use.”

Copyright © 2008 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

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