People often get confused about the difference between air sealing and weatherization. In the home performance world, weatherization is a subset of air sealing, which should be at the top of everyone’s list of projects. Here is our list for the ten projects you should take on first in your home.
1) Use metal tape and duct mastic/sealant to seal the ventilation ducts. It will cost you $20 - $30 and a few hours if you do it yourself, but pay for itself in one heating season. Here is a short video of how to apply the tape and sealant.
2) Use foam and caulk to seal holes and cracks in the building shell. Cost: $20
3) Keep the chimney damper shut when not in use and repair any that are broken. $0 - $1,000 (major repair/replacement by professional). An open or broken damper will greatly increase the amount of heated air that escapes the house and for every cubic foot of hot air that leaves, a cubic foot of cold air enters the home.
4) Install new door sweeps and weatherstripping around doors and windows where you can see daylight or feel air movement along the seams. Cost: $20 - $30 depending on the number of doors and windows you need to seal. This will do more for comfort than energy savings.
5) Seal any attic access and around can lights.
6) Install a programmable thermostat: Energy Star Qualified programmable thermostats can be as cheap as $50 and save as much as 15% on your heating bills depending upon your settings.
7) Install a low-flow showerhead: For $20 you can get a beautiful showerhead that will spread the water out and make it feel like there is much more water than is actually coming out. This simple switch can save you hundreds of dollars in annual energy and water bills. This calculator can give you a real good guess on what your savings will be.
8) Use Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) instead of incandescent light bulbs. Even though a CFL may cost $4 or $5 per bulb without rebates, it may still have a payback of less than a year. Use this buyer’s guide and calculator to help you determine potential savings and which style and wattage are best for your needs.
9) Insulate visible heating ducts: I don't know whether this one will save more than the previous two, but since they are so much easier, I put them first. This is most important if your heating ducts run outside of the heated space of your home, like through an unheated basement or attic. But even if they pass through heated areas of the home, they are usually not the areas you are MOST concerned about, OR where the thermostat is located. Until the thermostat reaches the desired temperature, your furnace or boiler is going to continue to work and burn fuel… and money.
10) Add Insulation: Once you have sealed up the house against air leaks, adding insulation will greatly increase the comfort of your home in both the Winter and Summer times. Depending on where you live, your house will require different amounts for the walls, floors and attic/roof. This sheet will help you to determine how much insulation you need for the different areas of your home, but your best bet is to have a professional inspect your home and give you an estimate.
