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Weatherization

flowers by wood windowProperly sealing and insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to become more energy efficient.

According to ENERGY STAR, a nationwide energy efficiency program sponsored jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can realize a potential savings of up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill) by improving the sealing and insulation of a home.

Close Leaks

Help make your house weather tight.

  • Many air leaks and drafts in the home are easy to find because they are easy to feel – like those around windows and doors.
  • Other leaks may take some hunting to find – like holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces.
  • Sealing any of these leaks with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills.

Proper Venting

After any home sealing project, have a heating and cooling technician check to make sure your combustion appliances (gas- or oil-fired furnace, water heater, and clothes dryer) are venting properly.

Insulation

Don’t scrimp on the insulation! Insulation helps keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer.

There are several common types of insulation:

  • Fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms)
  • Cellulose
  • Rigid foam board
  • Spray foam

When correctly installed with air sealing, each type of insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills throughout the majority of the year.

Attic

  • To get the biggest savings, the easiest place to add insulation is usually the attic.
  • A quick way to see if you need more insulation is to look across your uncovered attic floor.
  • If your insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more insulation.

More Information

For more information on steps homeowners can take to improve the energy efficiency of their homes:

Northeast Power wants you to get the most energy value for your money. It costs far less to save energy than it does to build a new power plant to generate additional power.