How to Insulate Your Old Double Hung Windows
If you have old double hung windows and you have already installed storm windows, weatherized the sashes and done everything that you can think of to make them energy efficient, there may be one more thing that you can do. Older windows have ropes attached to the sashes that run up the jambs and over [...]
February 2, 2010
Tags: Energy Conservation, Insulation, Windows Posted in: Energy Conservation, Insulation, Weatherize 
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New Year’s Net 50 Energy Challenge Update
Our latest investments were:
ï‚·Â Shop light conversion: $36
This results in a grand total investment of $1,262.Â
Our utility bills have been paid through the end of 2009 and our total annual savings has climbed to $912.18
Progress: as of end of 2009 vs 2007
Electricity – 67.7%
Natural Gas – 80.5%
Water – 83.0%
Utility Costs – 75.3%
Savings 2008 – $ 200.15
Savings [...]
January 19, 2010
Tags: Energy Conservation, Insulation, Net 50 Energy Challenge, Rain Barrels, Water Conservation, Weatherize Posted in: Energy Conservation, Net 50 Energy Challenge, Water Conservation, Weatherize No Comments
How to Insulate your Crawlspace and Keep your Toes a Little Warmer.
You may not realize it, but hundreds of dollars might be slipping out from under your feet every year. Adding R-19 insulation to a 400 square foot crawlspace could save you $125 a year on your heating bills and pay for itself in about a year. With an investment of a few hours this energy [...]
January 17, 2010
Tags: Energy Conservation, Insulation Posted in: Energy Conservation, Insulation No Comments
Radiant Barriers: A Quick Update
I ventured up to my attic the other day to seal up all of the holes in the ceiling below.
When I went up into the attic I brought a thermometer. I thought that it would be a good opportunity to check the effectiveness of the radiant barrier insulation since is was about 35° and [...]
December 9, 2009
Tags: Insulation, Radiant Barrier Posted in: Energy Conservation One Comment
Attic Insulation – How to Evaluate the Types and Amount You Should Add
Adding insulation to your attic is a great way to save energy, but there are a number of choices that you need to sort through. What is the best type for your situation? What is the best location for this added insulation? How much should you add?
The first thing that you need to determine [...]
November 15, 2009
Tags: Building Envelope, Energy Conservation, Insulation Posted in: Energy Conservation 2 Comments
R-value:
A measure of how well or poorly a material resists conductive heat flow through it. Insulation has a high relative R-value, while solid materials like concrete, glass and stone have low relative R-values. This value increases linearly with respect to the thickness. R-value only takes into consideration conduction and does not address the other two [...]
November 7, 2009
Tags: Insulation Posted in: Eco-Glossary No Comments
Window Insulating Film
Even the most energy efficient windows don’t even come close to providing the insulation value of a 2×4 stud wall, and those old leaky windows can drive your energy bills through the roof. Adding window insulating film will not only stop those cold winter drafts, but they will also increase the insulation value of your [...]
November 5, 2009
Tags: Energy Efficient, Insulation, Windows Posted in: Energy Conservation, Strategy/Product of the Week, Weatherize One Comment
Window Insulating Film – Kill the Drafts and Save Big.
Unless you have a large hole in one of the walls of your house, your windows are the place where most of the infiltration takes place. Leaky windows can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs, and even the most efficient windows provide only about a third of the insulating value [...]
November 4, 2009
Tags: Insulation, Weatherize, Weatherstripping, Windows Posted in: Energy Conservation, Weatherize No Comments
Our Net 50 Energy Challenge – Part 4 – We Used Our Head
The next step in our Home Energy Audit was to investigate where air could be leaking into/out of our house. On this little adventure we discovered something: let’s just say that if our house was a kitchen gadget it would be a sieve.
Windows: We have several types of windows in our house. The original [...]
November 3, 2009
Tags: Energy Audit, Insulation, Weatherize, Weatherstripping, Windows Posted in: Energy Conservation, Home Energy Audit, Net 50 Energy Challenge, Weatherize No Comments
Open–Cell vs Closed–Cell Foam Insulation
I read a great article yesterday that listed the pros and cons of open and closed-cell foam insulation. It was written by Martin Holladay, Jim Coler and Neal Gasner a writer for Green Building Advisor, a Spray-Foam Insulation company owner and a Spray-Foam Consultant. Up until now I have typically leaned toward and specified [...]
October 31, 2009
Tags: Energy Conservation, Insulation Posted in: Energy Conservation, Indoor Air Quality, Weatherize One Comment
