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December 2009 – Just because your doors and windows are closed doesn't mean winter is at bay. Drafts that sneak through cracks and holes in a building’s envelope – i.e., the barrier between the indoor and outdoor environment – can waste 5-30 percent of household heating, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The key to managing both your thermostat and energy bills without compromising comfort is a tight building envelope. Luckily, the set-up is easy. Sealants such as caulking and weatherstripping provide low-cost ways of guarding your home against drafts. Plus, the energy savings typically offset the cost of improvements within one year, while the improvements themselves last several years.
Find it, Seal it
First things first: find out where the draft is coming from. One way to do this is to shine a light through suspected leaks while a partner stands on the other side. Most homeowners are aware of the drafts by their windows and doors, but the most significant air leaks are often in the attic, basement and chimney.
The location and nature of drafts will determine what kind of sealant to use. Caulking is used to seal air leaks between two stationary surfaces – such as a crack in a wall – and works best in gaps less than 1-quarter-inch wide. It comes in several materials including silicone, polyurethane, latex and rubber of varying durability. Cost and ease of application vary, too.
Weatherstripping is used to seal joints between two moveable surfaces, such as doors and windows. Like caulking, weather-stripping products vary in their materials, and can be made of felt, vinyl, magnetic and foam.
If you’re thinking of installing your own sealant this season, consult the ENERGY STAR's Do-It-Yourself Guide to sealing air leaks at http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=diy.diy_index.
For a table of product types, go to the “caulking” or “weatherstripping” links at http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11260
Financial Incentives
Sealing your home’s air leaks will not only save you money on energy bills but also on your taxes. The IRS will provide a tax credit (worth thirty percent of the cost of materials and up to $1500) to homeowners who improve their home’s building envelope in 2009-2010. To learn more about that tax credit, visit: http://energytaxincentives.org/consumers/insulation_etc.php.
Additionally, the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act provides federal funding for DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program, through which states provide low-income families with financial resources to improve a home's building envelope and reduce heating and cooling costs. To find out if you qualify for these resources, visit http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/.
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