Review Window-Mounted Air Conditioner

Air Leaks are a major reason behind energy loss.

First take note of a list from the very obvious air leaks. The potential energy savings from eliminating blatant air leaks in a home may range from 5 to 30% per year. Examine closely for interior air leaks, including gaps down the baseboard or side of your flooring installation. Take a glance the place that the walls and ceiling join. Check to see if air can flow through these joints.

There are a amount of common places for air movement as well as losses. These will likely be discovered in lots of homes which were built during times when energy issues weren't a genuine factor in construction.

Electrical outlets and switch plates traditionally never have been sealed but current energy costs make vid worthwhile investment and also the labour is minimal. Be sure to check out proper safety procedures around electrical connections. Look for tight mouldings around windows and when possible try to see whether insulation was placed between the framing and walls.

Check all baseboards for drafts or air spaces. Ensure the weather stripping around doors is at excellent and results in a proper seal. Determine that fireplace dampers are actually properly installed and operate properly for peak efficiency.

Check the fit and insulation around attic entrances. Check wall or window-mounted air conditioners for air tight installation. Be sure to evaluate for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals, and mail slots. Check to view if your caulking and weather stripping are already applied effectively. There ought to be no gaps or cracks.

Inspect windows and doors for air leaks. Check that panes and frames are all tight and free from movement. Movement indicates potential air leaks. If you are able to see daylight around a door or window frame it goes without stating that you are leaking air. You typically seal these leaks with caulking or weather stripping. Inspect your storm windows. New energy efficient storm windows will buy themselves very quickly. You might also wish to think about replacing your current windows and doors with energy efficient products.

Conducting a Leak Test

Close all exterior doors, windows, and fireplace flues. Turn off all heating appliances like gas burning furnaces and water heaters. Turn on any exhaust fans, heating cooling fans and bathroom fans. Use a large window fan to suck air from room to another. You may use incense sticks or your damp hand to detect air movement. If you employ incense sticks, moving air will cause the smoke to waver, and if you make use of your damp hand, any drafts will feel cool in your hand.

Exterior Inspection Check Points

Check all outside corners, siding and chimney joints, points the place that the foundation as well as the bottom of exterior brick or siding meet. As you have done inside, caulk holes or openings for faucets, pipes, electric outlets, and wiring. Search for cracks and holes inside the mortar, foundation, and siding, and seal them which has a quality caulking. Check the exterior caulking around doors and windows. Ensure exterior storm doors and interior doors seal tightly.

Ensure proper house air flow systems operate efficiently to ensure air feeds for heating and cooling are operating efficiently.

Check that attic access areas are insulated, weather stripped, and close up securely. Inside the attic, seal any gaps at ductwork and pipe openings with an expanding foam caulk or another permanent sealant.

Try to test behind drywall to find out if there is a vapour barrier within the attic insulation. The vapour barrier may be tarpaper, Kraft paper attached with fibreglass batts, or perhaps a plastic sheet. If vapour barriers are absent and installation of new vapour barrier is not practical, you might consider painting the interior ceilings with vapour barrier paint. This reduces the total amount water vapour that may pass with the ceiling.Ensure how the attic vents are not blocked by insulation. You also should seal any electrical boxes in the ceiling with flexible caulk and cover the entire attic floor with at the very least the present recommended quantity of insulation.

Check Basement areas

In unheated basements, you really should have insulation under the living space flooring. There should be also insulation at the top from the foundation wall and first floor perimeter. Your water heater, domestic hot water pipes, and furnace ducts should all be insulated.

Heating and Cooling Equipment

Heating and cooling equipment needs to be inspected annually. With forced-air furnaces, check your filters and replace them as needed. Generally, you must change them about once on a monthly basis or two, especially during periods of high usage. If the machine is over many years old, you must consider replacing the body with one of the newer, energy-efficient units. This is an additional affordable improvement which will also boost the value of your home.

Insulate any ducts or pipes that travel through unheated spaces.

Lighting

Energy for lighting accounts for about 10% of the electric bill. Changing all of your light bulbs towards the newer energy saving light bulbs will save you that you simply surprising amount in your energy bill. Your electric utility may offer rebates or any other incentives for choosing energy-efficient lamps.