Going Green

Sealing and Insulating

Sealing and insulating the 'shell' of your home - the outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors and floors - is  often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort.  It is estimated that a knowledgable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs for up to 10% on their total annual energy bill by sealing and insulating.

With specific diagnostic tools, Amazing Siding can pinpoint and seal the hidden air leaks in your home. 

Sealing Leaks

Many air leaks and drafts are found around windows and doors, and are relatively easy to find because they are easy to feel.  However, holes hidden in attics, basements and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems. Large holes leak in the same fashion that large rivers move a large amount of water. Sealing these with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills.

You may be concerned about sealing your house too tightly; however, this is very unlikely in most older homes. A certain amount of fresh air is needed for good indoor air quality and there are specifications that set the minimum amount of fresh air needed for a house. Amazing Siding can measure your home's actual leakage and, if your home is too tight, a fresh air ventilation system may be recommended. No matter who takes care of sealing your home, schedule a heating and cooling technician to check and make sure that your combustion appliances (gas- or oil-fired furnace, water heater, and dryer) are venting properly.

Insulation

Insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are several common types of insulation - fiberglass (in both batt and blown forms), cellulose, rigid foam board and spray foam.  Reflective insulation (or radiant barrier) is another insulating product which can help save energy in hot, sunny climates.

When correctly installed with air sealing, each type of insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year.

Insulation is measured in R-value - its ability to resist heat flow. Higher R-values mean more insulating power. Different R-values are recommended for walls, attics, basements and crawlspaces, depending on your area of the country. Insulation works best when air is not moving through or around it. So it is very important to seal air leaks before installing insulation to ensure that you get the best performance from the insulation.

To get the biggest savings, the easiest place to add insulation is usually in 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. The recommended insulation level for most attics is R-38 (or about 12-15 inches, depending on the insulation type). In the coldest climates, insulating up to R-49 is recommended.

Sealing Ducts

In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts are used to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set.

Because some ducts are concealed in walls and between floors, repairing them can be difficult.  However, exposed ducts in attics, basements, crawlspaces and garages can be reapied by sealing the leaks with duct sealant (also called duct mastic). In addition, insulating ducts that run through spaces that get hot in summer or cold in winter (like attics, garages or crawlspaces) can save significant energy.

Additionally, if you are replacing your forced-air heating and cooling equipment, make sure your contractor installs the new system according to quality installing guidelines. A quality installation will include a thorough inspection of your duct system, including proper sealing and balancing of ductwork, to help ensure that your new system delivers the most comfort and efficiency.

Courtesy EnergyStar.gov