Here’s another inexpensive and easy tip to implement. Install foam gaskets around electrical outlets. Most exterior walls are built from 2 x 4 lumber which means the walls are only 3.75 inches thick. Your electrical boxes create a void in the wall insulation. I have really deep electrical boxes so there is very little room [...]
Today’s post will be short, but will cover a part of the house we usually don’t think about in regards to energy efficiency. It’s your attic access. If your attic access is located inside the interior of your home and is uninsulated, you essentially have a hole in your ceiling allowing conditioned air from the [...]
My dog has clawed a hole in the gate on the side of the house. I’ve had to put a big tire in front of the gate to cover up the hole. On top of that I placed an upside down bright red recycling bin. The neighbors are very happy.
What does this have to do [...]
Recessed can lights are a popular item in newer houses. They offer good light with a sleak look to any decor. The problem with these fixtures is that since they are recessed, a hole has been cut into the ceiling for each fixture. This creates a pathway for air to infiltrate the hole. Even after [...]
A family member of mine just purchased a home. It’s around 10 years old, so the house shouldn’t be very drafty, right? The local electric utility offers low cost blower door tests which uncover air leaks throughout the house. These air leaks add up to costly energy bills whether its summer or winter. The [...]
Here’s a great spring time project that we should all do once a year - check your windows for gaps in caulking/sealant. Seemingly little gaps, when multiplied across numerous windows can add up to big energy losses. This is a very simple project that can be completed in just an hour or two.
Caulking around [...]
A couple of years ago, I was at a home where the family was complaining about their air conditioning system. One of the complaints was that in the heat of the summer, their system couldn’t keep up with the cooling needs during the sweltering August days. After crawling around their house for a few hours, [...]
I read an article the other day that said the average home has enough small gaps and cracks leaking air in/out of your house to add up to a 6-10 square foot hole in the side of your home!
Imagine that, a hole big enough to walk through! If that were the case, you would [...]