It’s time to insulate and weatherize
Fall is in the air. Even in North Carolina, the change in seasons is noticeable with crisp winds, the earlier onset of dusk and chilly morning air. And while cooler weather means looking forward to trick-or-treating, Thanksgiving feasts and the Christmas holidays, it also means it’s time to think about all the cold air that can seep into your home, reducing your coziness factor and overall energy efficiency.
For the average homeowner, a few basic do-it-yourself projects can make a huge difference in terms of comfort and energy savings. One of the best top-to-bottom guides on getting your home’s envelope well sealed is called “Insulate and Weatherize” by Bruce Harley.
Harley does a fantastic job of stepping through some of the most important energy spaces in your home, such as the attic, basement, crawl space, kneewalls and windows, and he makes getting them sealed and insulated understandable for everyone.
Another nice guide to saving energy in your home is the Consumer Reports guide to reducing energy costs. Although this book has a broader scope than Harley’s, it doesn’t have as many great ideas or step you through the work as nicely.
If you’ve already done your best to seal your home and you’re ready to take the next step in pursuing energy efficiency – or if you’re not the do-it-yourself type of person – now is a great time to contact Triangle Sustainability for an energy audit.
An energy audit will help you find places that you missed in your insulating and sealing projects. But it will also provide you information on replacing appliances, solar and other renewable energy possibilities and how an energy management system can help you visualize, understand and reduce your energy usage. So wherever you’re at right now, start making the proper plans to make your home more energy efficient so you can save money and stay warm as the weather gets cooler.
Tags: energy audit, energy efficiency, insulation