In a home that lacks proper insulation, air leaks occur year-round. However, they are most easily felt during the winter months. For example, if you sit at a window that is poorly insulated, or place your hand to it, a draft can be felt coming into the home. With drafts come less comfort [...]]]>

Weatherproofing Windows

In a home that lacks proper insulation, air leaks occur year-round. However, they are most easily felt during the winter months. For example, if you sit at a window that is poorly insulated, or place your hand to it, a draft can be felt coming into the home. With drafts come less comfort in the home, and more money spent on heating it. Weatherproofing windows can be done with tools such as rope caulk, v seal weatherstripping, and interior storm windows. These are all simple to install and capable of sealing air leaks without breaking the bank.

Rope caulk is simply window putty that comes on a roll. Of the three tools, it is the simplest to install. To install, take a piece of the caulk, and press it into the window gaps with your fingers. Be sure to go around the entire window for the best results. The amount of rope caulk necessary depends on the size and number of windows that require insulation. Rope caulk is available in 35 ft., 45 ft., and 90 ft. rolls in both brown and grey, and costs between $2.50 and $5.80.

V seal weatherstrip also comes on a roll, and is made of pre-scored polypropylene that has an adhesive backing on one half of it. Weatherproofing windows with this tool is done by first cleaning the surface where the sealant will be placed. Then, using a pair of scissors cut the v seal into the desired length, and press into place using your fingertips. The shape that is made with the sealant is a “V” shape, hence the name. V seal weatherstrip comes in brown and white rolls of 17 ft. and 180 ft., and costs between $4.50 and $23.00.

Interior storm windows cover the entire window to seal out drafts. By creating dead air space , the kit increases insulating R-Value up to 90%. Window kits cost between $5.99 and $13.00, and are the most difficult of the 3 to install. Exact instructions depend on the type of kit acquired, but here are a few basic steps that are required for installation of interior storm windows:

• Clean the window surface.
• Apply tape to the designated places on the window.
• Place the plastic film over the window, and lightly against the tape.
• Lightly stretch the film, making sure to not stretch too much.
• Use a hair dryer to stretch the film. Do not let the dryer touch the film. This also gets rid of any wrinkles.
• Cut off any excess film.

Using either of these tools, you can quickly seal out window drafts, reducing the amount of energy loss that occurs in the home. In addition, weatherproofing windows will help reduce the amount of money spent on heating the home, as windows account for 10%-25% of all home energy loss.

During extreme weather months, the attic tends to be the area of the home that gets the coldest. This is because most attics are not well insulated, and are either too hot or too cold. To add insult to injury, attic doors typically act as an escape for air from the attic, which then mixes [...]]]>

During extreme weather months, the attic tends to be the area of the home that gets the coldest. This is because most attics are not well insulated, and are either too hot or too cold. To add insult to injury, attic doors typically act as an escape for air from the attic, which then mixes with the air inside the home, increasing energy bills. Insulating the attic door with an Attic Tent is a light-weight, simple, and cost-effective way to reduce the amount of unwanted air infiltration from the attic into the home, and it comes in many sizes to fit over many different attic doors.

Choosing the right size attic stair insulation for your attic can be accomplished with just one tool: measuring tape.

• Measure the width of the attic door across (typically 22” to 30”)
• Measure the length of the attic door across (typically 54” to 60”)
• If your attic is one that has the usual triple-fold staircase, then you should measure the height of the staircase when folded (typically 7” to 13”)
  • 7” height is necessary for an attic ladder side rail made with a 1×4
  • 13” height is necessary for an attic ladder side rail made with a 1×5 or 1×6

A benefit to the attic tent is that it offers some flexibility with the measurements. Whether you order a size that is 2-3 inches too small or 2-3 inches too large, this type of attic stair insulation has some give that allows the tent to fit over the door that is being insulated. The Attic Tent is lightweight, weighing no more than 5-6 pounds, easy to install and pays for itself in energy savings within the first year. Once you know the right size necessary for your attic, you will be well on your way to reducing the amount of unwanted air exchanges that occur through the attic.

As summer comes to a close, and the leaves on trees turn from green to the autumn colors of yellow, red, and orange, what are you looking forward to the most? If you are like many homeowners, what you are least looking forward to may be having cold air come into the [...]]]>

V Seal Weatherstrip

As summer comes to a close, and the leaves on trees turn from green to the autumn colors of yellow, red, and orange, what are you looking forward to the most? If you are like many homeowners, what you are least looking forward to may be having cold air come into the home and having the warm air leave. In addition to creating discomfort, this also raises energy bills. In this five-part blog series we’ll discuss how to reduce heating costs this winter; starting with v seal weatherstrip for windows and doors.

V seal weatherstrip has an adhesive backing and designed to be easily bent so that it forms a V shape once pressed into the corner of window or doors. It comes in various widths and lengths, and is made of insulating polypropylene that is pressed against the sides of gaps or cracks in windows to create a seal and eliminate window drafts. It can be installed in a few simple steps:

• Measure windows and clean the surface for application.
• Using a pair of scissors, cut the V Seal weatherstrip to the desired length.
• Fold the cut piece into a “V” shape.
• Remove adhesive backing
• Using your fingertips, place the v seal weatherstrip on the cleaned surface

Weatherproofing your windows/doors with a v seal is also cost effective. The weatherstrip costs around five dollars, and remains on windows/doors the entire winter. In addition to being affordable and durable, the v seal weatherstrip does not diminish visual appeal of your windows or doors, as they are invisible when in place. Once the cracks and gaps in windows have been taken care of, you will be on the right track to having more control over the temperatures in your home as well as the cost of heating.

Dimmable GU24

When [...]]]> By now, you’ve probably come across a GU24 CFL bulb. You know it’s the CFL that has two prongs sticking out. You attach it to the fixture not by screwing it in (like a standard bulb) but by sticking the prongs into the fixture and twisting it till the bulb locks into place.

Dimmable GU24

When these bulbs came onto the lighting scene a few years ago, there weren’t a lot of options. That has changed as these have gained popularity due to GU24 advantages which we cited in a previous post.

Now you can get GU24 bulbs from all the major lighting manufacturers such as TCP Lighting, Feit Electric, Bulbrite, Maxlite, Sylvania to name a few. They are available in different wattages, sizes (short, tall), color temperatures (2700k for a warm look or 5000 for a daylight color) and they have dimmable features available. A few years ago you couldn’t have a GU24 bulb in a dimmable fixture. That’s changed now and dimmable GU24 bulbs are available from many manufacturers. So if you’re looking into an energy efficient fixture that you would like to have dimming features, fear not, there are plenty of options.

Green Girl Atlanta educates you on how to be green, providing you with ways to make eco-friendly choices in your daily life and reduce [...]]]> We are inundated with so much information about ‘being green’ by the media that sometimes you just don’t know where to start. One Atlanta based company attempts to address this issue.

Green Girl Atlanta educates you on how to be green, providing you with ways to make eco-friendly choices in your daily life and reduce your negative impact on the Earth and our environment. Green Girl Atlanta works closely with you to establish your goals, manage your expectations, and make instant changes for your lifestyle and household. Services include, but are not limited to: recycling, energy bill assistance, water conservation, green pet care, green baby and child care and décor, paper waste reduction, organic food, organic cleaning supplies, energy star appliances, junk mail reduction, eco friendly paint, organic upholstering, and green gardening tips.

Green Girl Atlanta was started by Esther Ayers who is a Green Consultant currently living in Atlanta, Ga. Esther continually self-educates on modern best-practices on sustainability and energy efficiency and would love to share this knowledge.