Energy & Water Conservation Blog

How to Choose Door Sweeps for Exterior Doors

Conservation Mart — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:32:37 +0000

Door Sweeps for Exterior Doors

When there are gaps in the door, air comes in whether the door is opened or closed. This leads to heat and energy loss, which leads to higher energy bills. Door sweeps for exterior doors work to eliminate drafts from this source. Door bottom sweeps can be used in a variety of homes, even homes that are being rented. The most common types of door sweeps for exterior doors are standard, automatic, self-stick, and draft door weatherproofing. Choosing the right door sweeps for exterior doors can be a simple task once you are aware of the specifics of each one.

Standard

Standard door sweeps have weatherstripping attached to a heavy-duty aluminum carrier. The weatherstripping seals gaps up to 3/4 inches. It is ideal for sweeping over a tile or hardwood floor. These types of door bottom sweeps are installed by being screwed into a steel or wooden door.

Automatic

Automatic door sweeps are ideal for doors that sweep across rugs or carpets. They rise automatically when the door is open, and seal drafty areas once the door is closed. This type of door sweep is attached to the door using screws, and seals up to ½” gaps between the door bottom and threshold.

Self-Stick

Suitable for renters, or homeowners not interested in making any permanent changes to doors, self-stick door sweeps for exterior doors are made of a flexible plastic strip. They can be installed on metal and wood doors. Installation requires no more than peeling off the paper on the back and pressing it into place.

Draft Door Weatherproofing

Similar to self-stick, draft door weatherproofing does not require making permanent changes. It is made of two foam tubes, each measuring 35 inches in length. The tubes can be cut to fit under doors that are smaller. To install, simply fit the tubes into the two sleeves, and place it under the door. Door draft weatherproofing can be installed over linoleum, carpet, tile, or wood floors.

Each of these door sweeps for exterior doors help prevent drafts from this source. In doing so, less energy is lost from the home, leading to a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions as well as the amount spent on heating this winter.

Weatherization Kit: Easy Way to Seal Drafts

Conservation Mart — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:56:59 +0000

Weatherization Kit

Weatherproofing the home is not as difficult as some might believe. You don’t have to tear your home apart or spend thousands on professional in order to fix some existing problems. Reducing the amount of drafts that come into your home can be done with a few simple items and about an hour to spare. The items in a weatherization kit make sealing drafts simple, quick, and cost-effective.

A weatherization kit is filled with items that make it harder for the cold air to come in, and the warm air to go out.

Shrink & Seal Window Kit – Place the plastic from this kit over the windows, smoothing out any wrinkles by passing a hair dryer over it, and it keeps the cold air from coming through the window.

Replaceable Cord Weatherstrip – Also used for windows, caulking rope is applied around the edges of windows, to cover the cracks and gaps that can’t be reached with a caulking gun or tube. Insulating windows can reduce energy loss by 10 to 25 percent in the average home.

M-D High Density Foam Tape 02253 – The closed cell foam tape reduces air infiltration from doors (and window sashes). Apply it to the clean, dry surface of door jambs, and cut off any excess. Doors make up as much as 11 percent of all heat loss in a home. Air easily slips in and out through doors that are not properly insulated.

Foam Outlet and Switch Gaskets – These handy little tools are placed behind the plate covers of electrical outlets and switches that are located on exterior walls. Stopping air from escaping here eliminates about 5 percent of total home energy loss.

All of the items in a weatherization kit are low-cost, making the kit itself a low-cost investment. It is available for about $11, and pays for itself easily with the amount of energy that is saved during winter.

Knowledge is Power: Using the Efergy E2 to Track Energy Usage

Conservation Mart — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:26:07 +0000

Efergy E2

At the end of each month, do you find yourself wondering why the energy bills are as high as they are? Professional energy consultants find that in most homes, residents are using much more energy than they realize. Not actually measuring energy usage can lead to spending 20 percent more on energy than necessary. Knowing how much energy your home uses is a great first step to reducing that amount. The Efergy E2 is a wireless energy monitor that allows you to track energy consumption in your home as it happens.

The Efergy E2 has a clear graphical display which shows electricity usage and what it is costing. In addition, it displays the amount of carbon dioxide that is released as a result of the energy being used. The E2 does all of this in real-time, meaning you can track this usage as it happens. It runs on 3 AAA batteries so there is no need to worry about tripping over wires or plugging it in.

Unlike other energy monitors the Efergy E2 allows you to not only view daily, weekly, and monthly data, but the information it collects can be loaded onto your PC in the form of a report via USB. This wireless energy monitor stores up to 8 months of history, in case you wanted to compare data. Knowing and understanding how energy is consumed around your home can help reduce that usage 5-20 percent, which of course decreases your home’s carbon footprint as well as energy costs.

Using a Smoke Puffer to Identify Air Leaks

Conservation Mart — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:11:06 +0000

In most homes, drafts and air leaks can be easily detected by placing your hand to a window or electrical outlet located on an exterior wall. Other air leaks, however, are not as easily detected. These hidden leaks are costing the average homeowner hundreds of dollars every year in heating and cooling. A smoke puffer provides a simple way to identify air leaks and drafty spots in the home that are not so easily detected.

Smoke Puffer

Also referred to as a smoke pencil, a smoke puffer uses batteries and fluid to point out where air is leaking out of a building. Installing and using this tool can be done in a few simple steps:

Lay the tool on its side and fill the tank with the smoke fluid.
Gently hold the vapor/power trigger for 6-9 seconds, allowing the vapor to warm up.
Once the LED power light glows, press the vapor/power lever more firmly.
Use the trigger on the smoke puffer to control the amount of time the vapor is dispensed; increasing the pressure applied to the trigger increases the vapor stream.
See how air is moving the smoke to discover where the most air is leaking out of the home.

In addition to ease of use, the smoke pencil is ideal for identifying air leaks for a number of reasons. It is lightweight and pocket-sized for easy storage. Also, the fluid contains harmless glycerin and water vapor, instead of toxic chemicals. As a result, it poses no threat to an individual using it, or others in the area. Discovering where air is leaking out of the home is the first step to reducing this type of energy loss as well as the amount of money it is costing every year.

Insulating with Q-Lon Weatherstripping Prevents Drafts from Doors

Conservation Mart — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:24:31 +0000

Did you know that air can easily escape in and out of the home through exterior doors whether or not they are open? This is because there are a number of cracks and gaps located between the door and the outside area. These holes are small, yet large enough to impact the level of home comfort, as well as the amount of money spent on heating every winter. Installing q-lon weatherstripping for doors will eliminate this unwanted air infiltration as well as the effect it has on energy bills.

Q-Lon Weatherstripping

Q-Lon is made up of a carrier that has polyethylene-clad urethane foam securely attached. Carriers come in PVC (vinyl), aluminum (metal), and wood to provide insulation for a variety of doors. The foam is UV stabilized, allowing it to remain flexible at temperatures as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit. This form of door insulation is long lasting, as it does not splinter, rot, distort, or absorb water.

The q-lon weatherstripping is light-weight, and easy to install. Simply attach the PVC carrier to the frame of the door in a way in which the foam gasket pushes up against the door when the door is closed. Then, nail it in using the nails that come with the q-lon kit. If necessary, it can be cut to fit a smaller door opening. Q-lon weatherstripping seals 1/2-inch gaps, and works as both weatherstripping and a doorstop.

Approximately 11 percent of all energy loss in the average home occurs through exterior doors. Limiting the amount of unwanted air exchanges that occur through doors reduces not only energy loss, but also the costs of heating during winter, as you will have more control over the temperature in the home. The weatherstripping pays for itself with the amount of savings accumulated, and continues to save you money on energy bills long after.

Foam Door Sweeps for Exterior Doors Make Insulating Simple

Conservation Mart — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:23:32 +0000

Some consider insulating to be difficult work, a task to be left for the pros. Others consider insulating to be an option available only to homeowners, not renters. These both couldn’t be farther from the truth. There are many simple solutions to drafts in the home. One of the easiest places to insulate is the door. The door lets air into the home and sucks air out whether it is left wide open, or locked tightly. Foam door sweeps for exterior doors help eliminate this problem with little effort on your part.

Sometimes referred to as a door draft seal, this type of insulation can be installed in three simple steps, and stays in place, gliding with the door:

With a pair of scissors, cut the foam tubes to the desired length
Place each foam tube into a fabric sleeve
Slide the insulator under the door

There are many benefits to this form of door insulation. Once this has been installed, there will be a reduction in the amount of unwanted air exchanges that occur through the doors, leading to a reduction in energy costs. In addition to being simple to install, it can be removed easily by sliding it from beneath the door, and is machine washable. The door draft seal can be installed over linoleum, wood, carpet, or tile. For all of these reasons, foam door sweeps for exterior doors are ideal for any homes that need insulation at the door.

Save Instant Energy on the Cheap with T5 Retrofit Kits

Conservation Mart — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:51:37 +0000

Currently, the National Lighting Bureau (NLB) states there are approximately 500 million T12 fluorescent tube lamps installed in US buildings, and in use every day. This type of bulb is used mostly in commercial and industrial settings such as office buildings, schools, and warehouses. The regulations set by the US Department of Energy call for these lights to be eliminated starting in July of 2012, encouraging the replacement of the T12 with the newer, more energy efficient T5. Instead of throwing out T12 lamps, install a T5 retrofit to existing T12 bulbs, reducing energy consumption and energy costs.

The common T12 fluorescent tube lamps waste 50% of input energy, and also add to environmental heat, as these bulbs emit heat along with light. The retrofitting of 500 million T12 tube lamps with the T5 retrofit kit will save as much as 80% of air conditioned and lighting energy. It not only lowers energy use as much as 80%, but carbon footprint as well, lowering this figure by 60%.

Some hesitation in replacing these lamps comes from the labor involved with installing a completely new lamp. A T5 retrofit kit installs with just one snap to the T12, converting it into an energy saving lamp. There is no need to rewire or change the ballast. Another (and possibly greater) source of hesitation in terms of replacing T12 lamps is the cost of acquiring new lamps and having them installed. The cost of a T5 retrofit is approximately 32 dollars, and the retrofitting of 500 million lamps will save the US over $10 billion in electricity costs.

The T5 retrofit kit is a safe alternative to installing a new light. It has been tested and has received the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) stamp of approval. This approval shows that it complies with safety standards set throughout the country, as Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is a trusted certification organization, granting this approval only to products that exhibit high-quality, safety, and professional building.

Window Air Conditioner Covers Install Easily to Save Energy and Cut Costs

Conservation Mart — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:48:44 +0000

Window air conditioner covers are used to eliminate drafts from the place where an air conditioning unit is installed. They install over the unit to seal drafts from this area. Sealing this source of drafts reduces the amount of unwanted air exchanges and energy loss experienced during the colder months of the year, when the unit is not in use. Each package contains one washable fabric cover, windblock liner for insulation, and removable tape. An indoor air conditioner cover can be installed in just a few simple steps:

Unplug the electric cord belonging to the air conditioner and wrap it closely, and tightly, around the front edge. Use a 3” piece of tape to keep it in place.
Measure the height and width of the air conditioning unit. Add 6” to each measurement, and using a pair of scissors, cut the windblock liner accordingly.
Place the insulating windblock front and center over the unit, folding and taping the square corners. The liner should cover the electric cord, plug, and the opening where the cord exits the AC unit.
Place the fabric indoor air conditioner cover over the AC.

The tape works best when the temperatures outside are above 35° Fahrenheit.

Installing with a few simple steps, window air conditioner covers immediately get to work reducing the amount of air leaks experienced at the area where the AC is installed. Whenever there is a reduction in energy loss, a reduction in energy costs is sure to follow. Window air conditioner covers save money on heating during their first year of use, and can be used many winters after. Check out the pictures below for more detail on how installation is completed.

Installing an Indoor Air Conditioner Cover

Weatherproofing Windows Reduces Drafts in a Home

Conservation Mart — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:39:41 +0000

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.

Closed Cell Foam Vs. Open Cell Foam: What’s The Difference?

Conservation Mart — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:19:30 +0000

Applying spray foam insulation to ceilings and walls is one of the best ways to insulate the rooms that act as a passageway for drafts and outside air during extreme weather months; rooms such as the attic and basement. Sealing up the cracks and gaps in these rooms with spray foam insulation helps reduce the amount of energy used to heat and cool the home, as well as the amount of money spent on doing so. Closed cell and open cell Touch N Seal foam are two types of spray foam insulation that can be used for insulating these rooms.

Closed cell Touch N Seal foam gets its name because the foam cells are packed together and closed. The strength and density of this foam allow it to be resistant to water absorption. Additional important details about closed cell foam include:

Expansion: up to 30 times when applied at 1” thick
Density: 1.75 +/- 0.2 pounds per cubic feet
R-Value: 7.12 per inch

In contrast, the cells in open cell foam are not closed completely or packed close together, and this type of foam readily absorbs water. Keep in mind these important details about open cell foam when deciding which type you need:

Expansion: 100 times the liquid volume
Density: 0.4 to 0.5 pounds per cubic feet
R-Value: 3.5 per inch

Closed cell and open cell Touch N Seal foam are different in a number of ways. While open cell foam typically costs less, the strength, density, and higher R-Value of closed cell foam makes it the more advantageous of the two.