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News
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Now
is
an
Ideal Time for Home Weatherization
Posted 7 September 2010
Though temperatures
are still warm and most people don’t like to think about winter’s
arrival just yet, now is an ideal time to weatherize your own home and
to help weatherize the homes of friends, relatives, or neighbors who
would benefit from it, according to the Iowa Utilities Board.
In addition to saving money on utility bills over time, home
weatherization can make people much more comfortable in their homes,
especially during temperature extremes. One of the simplest and
cheapest means to reduce energy use this winter, and throughout the
year, is to seal air leaks on a home’s exterior walls. Caulk and
weather-stripping materials are relatively inexpensive and available at
hardware and department stores.
It is usually relatively simple and inexpensive to complete some basic
weatherization on a home’s exterior. Doing so will save energy for many
years. Most homes can be weatherized around windows, doors, and at the
base of exterior siding using primarily caulk, weather-stripping, and
flashing. Do-it-yourselfers should remove dirt and grit or any loose
paint from areas to be caulked (small cracks, gaps). Try not to caulk
in rainy weather or when the temperature is below 40 degrees. Consider
also that caulk sets faster on hot days, leaving less time to trim or
clean up messy spots. Remember to caulk around new holes or
disturbances to outside walls whenever additional pipes or cables are
installed. You can also use caulk to seal any gaps between the wall and
the trim on your windows. Apply caulk in a continuous motion, forcing
it into cracks around windows, by holding the caulk gun at a 45-degree
angle to the work surface. Release the handle just before reaching the
end of the crack to prevent "run-on" and reduce waste.
A can of expanding foam sealant can be used to fit larger,
irregularly-shaped gaps. You may need to use fillers to plug extra-wide
gaps. Fillers come in a wide variety of materials—cotton, fiberglass,
foam, and sponge rubber. However, these fillers are not designed for
exposure to the elements, so you will need to caulk or seal over them.
To close gaps too wide for foam, use foil-faced bubble wrap. For really
large holes, cut sections of rigid foam insulation to fit and glue into
place with expanding foam before covering the area with wood or another
appropriate building material.
Also seal the inside of the home. Put plastic on windows if needed,
caulk and seal air leaks around attic doors, and install foam gaskets
behind outlet covers and switchplates. Foam gaskets are used to seal
switches and outlets that do not already have a tight seal against the
wall. Air can leak through interior walls, flowing up into the attic,
as well as through exterior walls. So install the gaskets on all your
walls. Plastic safety plugs can be used to stop air leaks through
unused electrical outlets.
Many customers can take some other simple steps to use energy more
wisely and utilities can often advise them of means for doing this,
which may help them get through high-cost months. In cold weather, turn
the thermostat down as much as safely possible, especially when
sleeping or whenever the home is unoccupied. For winter comfort and
safety, add layers of clothing and bedding. Have a home energy audit
(many utilities offer this as a free service to customers) and use a
programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat will help you do so
with peak efficiency and comfort. Also, turn off extra lights,
electronic devices, or appliances that are not needed at any given time.
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