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  R-Rated Insulation Good insulation not only keeps you comfortable—it can reduce your home heating and cooling costs by up to 30%. A system called R-Ratings measures the thickness and effectiveness of insulation materials. The appropriate level of insulation for your home is based on the climate in which you live. Once you have determined what R-Rating you need, start by insulating your attic, including the attic door or hatch cover. Then work your way around to the exterior walls, basement walls, floors and crawl spaces. By investing just a few hundred dollars, you could reduce your energy bills dramatically. |
| For more information, visit: The Oak Ridge National Laboratory's Insulation Fact Sheet Find out the R-Rating recommendations for your area, and everything else you want to know about insulation. Urban Option's Weatherization Guide Provides a good understanding of leak sealing and insulation basics, especially in older homes. |
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| Be an All-American Draft Dodger Nobody wants a drafty home. Weatherizing will keep you cozy. By sealing or caulking all seams, cracks and openings you can also reduce your energy bill by 10% or more. That's good for your wallet, and good for the nation. Testing your home's air tightness is simple. On a windy day, place a lit incense stick next to your windows, doors, electrical and plumbing fixtures. If the smoke travels horizontally, you've found a leak that may benefit from weatherization.  Caulk
and weather strip any leaky windows and doors.Seal
cracks and holes in your walls and ceilings.Install
rubber gaskets behind any electrical outlets on the outside of your
home. Close
the flue damper tightly when your fireplace isn't in use. |
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| For other ideas and more detailed instructions, visit: Department of Energy's Weatherize Your Home Fact Sheet Weatherization basics, including choosing the right type of caulking compound or weather strip. Remodeling Online's The Ways of Weather Stripping An easy "how-to" on sealing up drafty doors and windows. Energy Coordinating Agency's Self-Help Energy Saving Guide A step-by-step guide to stopping drafts for do-it-yourselfers. Available here as a free PDF or on sale as a booklet from the ECA at (215) 988-0929. |
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