Energy Efficiency Tips

PATH - A Public Private Partnership for Advancing Housing Technology

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Relief from Rising Energy Bills

Across the nation the leaves have fallen, days are shorter and nights are distinctly chilly. The heating season has begun and consumers are starting to see the impacts of escalating energy costs. Heating oil prices are projected to jump nearly 40% compared with last year, propane is forecast to rise by 26% and natural gas by 23%. Since heating costs comprise nearly half of the energy consumed in a single family home, this economic punch will hit consumers at all income levels.

[IMAGE: Chart of home energy use.]Consumers: Before you consider a second or third job to pay your utility bills, consider the following PATH tips and technologies as protection against soaring energy costs.

Builders and Remodelers: Improve the value of your services by incorporating energy efficiency into your projects. A great tool to help improve efficiency during a remodeling project is HUD's Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor.

Choosing to incorporate energy efficiency measures in homes provides insurance against rising costs. Energy efficient technologies require less energy to operate, which reduces the home's consumption and, ultimately, the energy bill. Incorporating efficient technologies and practices will help reduce the nation's dependence on fossil fuels and avoid harmful environmental impacts. With all these benefits, why choose anything else?

Start with the Basics: Weatherization

Air infiltration through small holes and cracks may contribute to as much as 30% of your home's heating and cooling costs. Infiltration not only wastes energy and money, it contributes to moisture, noise and dust problems.

Check for signs of air leakage. One telltale sign of air leaking into your house is finding dirty spots in your insulation. Drafts are also a clear sign of leakage. Hold an incense stick near suspect areas and watch the smoke for the source of the draft. Areas that may have significant leaks are near the attic, crawlspace or basement, and around windows, doors and chimneys. Plumbing chases, electrical outlets, attic accesses and dropped ceilings are other likely suspects.

[IMAGE: An energy professional will use diagnostic tools such as a blower door to locate air leaks and pressure imbalances.]You may need to hire a contractor to run tests to determine the location of smaller air leaks. An energy professional will use diagnostic tools such as a blower door to locate air leaks and pressure imbalances.

Caulk and seal any exterior penetrations and weatherstrip doors and windows that are leaky. Holes in the envelope of the house should be repaired from largest to smallest.

Air sealing should be performed before insulation is added as gaps and cracks in the wall will allow air passage, decreasing the effectiveness of the insulation.

Although you may want to hire a professional to perform a thorough inspection of the house, air sealing is something you can do yourself. There are several materials that may be used for air sealing, depending on the purpose.

Backer rod - Closed-cell foam or rope caulk. Press into crack or gap with screwdriver or putty knife. Often used with caulk around window and door rough openings.
Caulk - For sealing gaps of less than ½ inch. [Learn how to caulk and weatherstrip]
Spray Foam - To fill large cracks and small holes. A few precautions should be heeded when using spray foam: do not use near flammable applications and do not use expanding foams around windows and doors.
Weatherstripping - To seal areas with moveable components such as doors and windows.

For larger areas:

Housewrap - To form an airtight seal over the exterior sheathing, housewrap must be sealed with tape or caulk. Does not provide a vapor barrier.
Polyethylene Plastic - To serve as a vapor and air barrier. This material may be used for sealing complicated leakage areas that may be of irregular shape.

Learn about ENERGY STAR home sealing

Also consider adding interior storm windows, which can reduce window air leakage by improving the overall window assembly's insulation value.

[IMAGE: Insulating ducts and floors saves energy and improves comfort.]Insulation is a cost-effective way to save energy and improve comfort. Insulation provides additional benefits including noise reduction, fire resistance and safety. It's not just your walls that need insulation - attics and floors over unheated areas are particularly important areas to insulate. And don't forget your ducts!

There are four basic types of insulation: loose fill, batts and blankets, rigid board and spray foam. Insulation levels will depend on your location. The most appropriate type of insulation to use will vary based on the type of construction, the extent of the project planned and applicable code requirements.