Inefficient Lighting
Inefficient Lighting Incandescent Lamps contribute to high energy use and are very common in homes around the country, the problem associated with them is they have a filament in them that needs to be heated to produce light, the higher the temperature the brighter the light. The problem with this is that most of the electricity going into the lamp is used to produce heat not visible light resulting in high energy usage to light a room. By replacing Incandescent lights that burn a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes every day you can expect to see a 75 percent savings on your lighting usage.
Solutions to the Challenges
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s) CFLs contain gas inside its tube that once excited by electricity produces an invisible ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light hits the white coating on the inside of the tube and is transformed into a light that can be seen. The reason compact fluorescent lamps cost less to operate is that they do not use heat to create light as does the incandescent lamp.
Savings
The Average amounts of bulbs being put into the Energy Makeover homes are 28, the bulbs are 19 watt compact fluorescent bulbs that are equivalent to 75 watt incandescent bulbs.
When compared to the cost of 75 watt incandescent bulbs the KWh savings show to be 1,713 KWh per year per home assuming a 3 hour per day usage and 2,289 KWh based on 4 hours per day usage.
Inadequate or Lack of Caulking
Caulking an Exterior Window
For exterior use you want to use 100% silicone caulk. It comes in different colors; it also comes in a clear, paintable form that can be painted over. The best time to apply caulk is during dry weather when the outdoor temperature is above 45 degrees, warm temperatures are necessary so the caulk will set properly and adhere to the surface. Low humidity is also important during application to prevent cracks from swelling with moisture.
Prepare surface to be caulked
On wood clad windows before applying new caulk, remove old caulk or paint residue remaining around a window using a putty knife or a stiff brush, then sand smooth making sure surface is smooth and dry before proceeding. (Surface has to be dry so you don’t seal in moisture). On aluminum windows, after all old and peeling caulking has been removed, apply a very thin amount of acetone or medium drying lacquer thinner( be careful to keep solvent to clean the window frame and let dry completely to insure good adhesion. Make sure it is dry before proceeding.
Applying the Caulk
Cut tip of caulking tube at 45 degree angle. Apply caulk to all joints in a window frame and the joint between the frame and the wall. Practice first on an area that is less visible. You will soon be able to lay a uniform bead of caulk that overlaps both sides of the crack for a good seal. To apply caulking hold the gun at a 45 degree angle to the surface, caulk in one straight continuous stream if possible. Caulk from the top of the window going down to the bottom. The caulk should completely fill the crack being caulked. (If cracks are large shove foam backer rod into crack first and caulk over the top of it). Release the trigger before pulling the gun away to avoid applying to much caulking compound. Use a spoon or your finger dipped in liquid soap to smooth bead of caulk out if necessary.
Weather-Stripping
Weather-stripping supplies and techniques can range from simple to technical. Here are a few basic guidelines:
• Weather-stripping should be applied to clean, dry surfaces in temperatures above 20°F (-7° C).
• Measure the area to be weather-stripped twice before you cut anything.
• Apply weather-stripping snugly against both surfaces. The material should compress when the window or door is shut.
Weather-stripping doors
• Choose the appropriate door sweeps and thresholds for the bottom of the doors.
• Weather-strip the entire door jamb.
• Apply one continuous strip along each side.
• Make sure the weather-stripping meets tightly at the corners.
• Use a thickness that causes the weather-stripping to tightly press between the door and the door jamb when the door closes, without making it difficult to shut.
To seal windows, apply weather-stripping between the sash and the frame. The weather-stripping shouldn't interfere with the operation of the window
Insulation
Why insulate your house?
Heating and cooling accounts for 50 to 70 percent of the energy used in an average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes.
Insulation Benefits:
• Saves money and our nation’s limited energy resources.
• Makes your house more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house.
• Makes walls, ceiling and floors, warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer
Types and Effectiveness
Blown-in loose-fill insulation includes cellulose, fiberglass, or rock wool in the form of loose fibers or fiber pellets that are blown using pneumatic equipment, usually by professional installers. This form of insulation can be used in wall cavities. It is also appropriate for unfinished attic floors, for irregularly shaped areas, and for filling in around obstructions. In the open wall cavities of a new house, cellulose can also be sprayed after mixing with an adhesive or foam to make them resistant to settling.
Benefits of Cellulose Insulation:
• Sound proofing
• Will not allow mold to happen
• Fireproof
• Stops Infestations
Spray Foam Insulation
Foam insulation can be applied by a professional using special equipment to meter, mix, and spray the foam into place. Polyicynene is an open-celled foam. Polyisocyanurate and polyurethane are closed-cell foams. In general, open-celled foam allows water vapor to move through the material more easily than closed-cell foam. However, open-celled foams usually have a lower R-value for a given thickness compared to closed-cell foams. So, some of the closed-cell foams are able to provide a greater R-value where space is limited.
Rigid Insulation
Rigid insulation is made from fibrous materials or plastic foams and is produced in board-like forms and molded pipe coverings. These provide full coverage with few heat loss paths and are often able to provide a greater R-value where space is limited. Such boards may be faced with a reflective foil that reduces heat flow when next to an air space. Rigid insulation is often used for foundations and as insulative wall sheathing.