During the winter, air leaks and under-insulated areas cause many homes to waste large amounts of heating and cooling energy. Weatherization addresses these issues and helps lower energy costs for families.
The program is administered locally by county governments, community action agencies and other nonprofits. Income determines eligibility, with priority given to the elderly, disabled, and households with children.
Insulation
Insulation slows heat flow, allowing the home to be kept warmer in winter and cooler in summer, reducing energy bills. It is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to improve energy efficiency in homes.
A home’s insulation can be rated by its R-value, the higher the better. It comes in four types – batts, rolls, loose-fill and rigid foam boards. Each type is designed to fit in different parts of the house and are made from a variety of materials.
The choice of insulation for a particular climate is crucial to achieving an optimal R-value. Some regions may need insulation that works best to prevent heat loss, while others will require an ideal combination of keeping heat in and minimizing air leaks.
In addition to lowering energy costs, insulation also helps reduce noise levels, increase comfort and safety, protect the environment and provide fire protection. It is used in a wide range of applications including air ducts, plumbing and electrical conduits and cables, and for sound control in interior walls, ceilings and floors.
The most cost-effective improvements in weatherization come from sealing air leaks and insulating a building. Combined, they can cut heating and cooling costs by 25-50%. A buttoned-up, well-insulated home uses less oil to heat, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Performing these improvements can add value to a home and be done as part of an initial home energy assessment or during an existing renovation.
Sealing Air Leaks
Air leaks are the biggest energy-wasting problem in most houses. According to ENERGY STAR, these leaks waste 40% of the heating and cooling energy in homes that don’t have whole-house weatherization (1).
During a home energy audit, the energy assessor will identify areas in your house where air infiltration is an issue and recommend the necessary work to seal them. These measures may include caulking windows and doors, weather stripping doors, installing foam gaskets behind outlets and switches, sealing recessed lighting, and addressing cracks and openings in the walls, floors and ceilings.
A qualified contractor will then complete the necessary weatherization work at your home using tools and techniques that are based on exacting industry standards. Some providers have their own in-house crews, while others use local private contractors to perform these tasks. In either case, your provider is obligated to comply with all federal and state rules and regulations regarding the selection of energy-saving measures that are most appropriate for your home.
Depending on the specifics of your home, the crew may need to access your attic or crawl spaces, or work in hard-to-reach spots such as under sinks and around vents. Before these improvements are made, it’s important to secure pets and children, remove any items that could be damaged or get in the way of the work, and make sure your attic ladder and crawl space access doors are clear and open.
Replacement Windows & Doors
If your home has windows that are old & inefficient, it may be time to replace them with energy-efficient options. Replacing existing windows with new, ENERGY STAR® certified windows can help save money on utility bills & reduce air emissions.
If you are considering replacing your old windows, you should make sure to follow weatherization steps to maximize the benefits of this project. For example, any major repairs or replacements like rot, mildew & bugs should be addressed before starting the weatherization process. Also, if your house needs additional insulation in the attic, that should be done before installing new windows that will create a better seal to prevent air leakage.
The best way to determine if you should invest in new windows is by having a professional perform an energy audit. An auditor will do a thorough walk-through of your house, identify problem areas and recommend the most cost effective energy conservation measures to take.
If you decide to move forward with the installation of new windows, keep in mind that insert replacement windows can be installed quickly since they fit inside your existing window frame without removing the exterior cladding or trim. However, if you’re looking to install energy-efficient windows that are historic replications or have a unique shape, you might want to consider full frame replacement windows which will require removing the original sashes and nail fins.
Crawl Spaces
Crawl spaces are a great feature for homes built along hillsides or in flood-prone areas, but they can be problematic for home buyers when it comes to energy efficiency. While crawl spaces keep the lowest level of the house off of the ground, they’re also open to moisture problems and pests. Mold grows easily in a crawl space and the damp air can seep into the living space above, making it difficult to breathe.
When untreated, the air in a crawl space can migrate into the living area through a process called the stack effect. As warm air rises from a heated home, it creates negative pressure that pulls in replacement air from the bottom, which is often unconditioned crawl space air. This moisture-laden replacement air can cause humidity problems, wood rot, and excess mold growth under the house.
Uninsulated crawl spaces can also contribute to radon gas leaks, which are dangerous and sometimes deadly if inhaled for extended periods of time. If you have a crawl space that isn’t properly insulated, it’s important to hire an experienced contractor for a radon gas mitigation project. An insulation barrier and proper grading of the surrounding soil can help prevent the movement of radon from the ground into your crawl space. Proper crawl space encapsulation can prevent moisture and humidity from damaging floor joists and subflooring, as well as helping to save on energy costs.