There are 5 simple ways to lower your water heating bills, try one or more of these energy-saving strategies: 1. Reduce your hot water use Wash most your clothes in cold water; install low-flow fixture; purchase energy efficient washer and dish washer; fix any faucet leaks. 2. Lower your water heating temperature You don’t need [...]
Posts Tagged ‘insulation’
Ways to use to save home energy other than investing in solar panels
When we think of using the solar power, we automatically think about solar panels. But there are passive solar home design that can save you not only energy but also money. A passive solar home design uses the fundamental law of heat moves from warmer materials to cooler ones. So a passive solar home distributes [...]
Cooling Ventilation Systems
Ventilation is the least expensive and most energy-efficient way to cool buildings. Ventilation works best when combined with methods to avoid heat buildup in your home. In some cases, natural ventilation will suffice for cooling, although it usually needs to be supplemented with spot ventilation, ceiling fans and window fans. For large homes, homeowners might [...]
How to air seal your home
Before deciding on how to air seal your house, you need to understand how the air escapes. Air comes into and out of your home through every possible holes and cracks. You can find out your home’s air tightness by letting in smoke from a smoke pen placed outside of your windows and doors on [...]
Should I Insulate My Home?
Insulate your home when: You have an older home and haven’t added insulation. Only 20% of homes built before 1980 are well insulated. You are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot in the summer—adding insulation creates a more uniform temperature and increases comfort. You build a new home, addition, or install new siding or [...]
Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks
Checking your home’s insulation is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to use a whole-house approach to reduce energy waste and make the most of your energy dollars. A good insulating system includes a combination of products and construction techniques that protect a home from outside hot or cold temperatures, protect it against [...]
Consider moisture and air leakage control
When installing a slab foundation and insulating it, it’s also important to consider moisture and air leakage control, as well as termite control. Termites can tunnel undetected through exterior slab insulation to gain access to the wood framing in a home’s walls. As a result, some insurance companies won’t guarantee homes with slab insulation against [...]
Determining Insulation R-Value and Depth
The International Energy Conservation Code Council (IECC) specifies both the R-value and minimum distance for the insulation from the top of the slab downward based on a locality’s Heating Degree Days (HDDs). Consult your local weather bureau for your area’s actual Heating Degree Days. Then use the table below to find the IECC’s recommended depth [...]
Steps for Installing Underfloor Insulation
1. During the early phases of construction, the builder should inform all subcontractors (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, etc.) that they need to keep the space between the floor joists as clear as possible. Run drain lines, electrical wiring, and ductwork below the bottom of the insulation so that a continuous layer of insulation can be installed. [...]
Steps for Installing Crawl Space Wall Insulation
1. Review plans for this method of foundation insulation with pest control and local building officials to ensure code compliance. 2. Eliminate or seal the foundation vents. 3. Ensure that combustion furnaces and water heaters located in the crawl space are sealed-combustion units equipped with a powered combustion system. 4. Seal all air leaks through [...]