Save Energy: Simple Home Energy Saving Ideas

If you have central air conditioning or central heating, you have a place where air is pulled into the unit.  It is processed, then flows out through vents via ducts.  But, that suction also pulls air from outside into your home through any places that are not air tight.  Plugging some of these places where outside air can enter your home can reduce the time your air conditioner or heater is operating, hence reduce how much energy is being used by the unit. 

Air from outside is often too hot in the summer, and too cold in the winter, to be comfortable.  As you try to control the temperature inside your home you need the air that needs too much modification to not be pulled into your home by the intake vent.

There are places air can enter your home.  Some typical places are around doors and windows, but others exist.  Air can creep in around the attic stairs or around recessed lighting.  Where is outside air leaking into your home?  There is a simple instrument that can help you answer that question, then you can decide how you need to remedy the problem.

There are heavy atoms in the Earth, and they release energy through radioactive decay.  They are needed, since if the Earth were to solidify throughout it would lose its magnetic field that shields it from hazards coming in from outer space. 

As these radioactive atoms decay they transmute into other radioactive atoms, some of which are radon gas.  Radon gas works its way to the surface, and can enter a home from beneath.  Normally, this is inconsequential, for the radon is in small amounts that are safe.  But, if a home is too air-tight, the radon can build up to unhealthy levels, so it is possible to overdo with stopping leaks.  Still, controlling gas from entering through cracks is desirable, especially if there is some air from outdoors that enters.  The real problem is for people who do not open doors or windows over prolonged periods, and who have blocked all possible exits for the radon.

One of the weakest points in insulating a home is the area of the folding attic stairs.  The attic might be well insulated, but because the stairs are folded and closed into the attic it is a place insulation is impractical, or was impractical before the invention of the attic tent.  This is an insulated bubble that fits over the attic stair opening, and has a zipper should you need to climb into the attic.  Not only is this a place where insulation is not normally found, the cracks around the perimeter of the attic door exist because the door is not a snug fit, so the door needs to be under the attic tent.  Since attic stairs use different size openings, attic tents come in several sizes, and with insulation of various ratings.  

Tungsten filament lightbulbs produce enormous amounts of heat, and blocking that heat from escaping, if only to the attic, may not be wise in the summer.  But as more people convert to energy efficient LED lights heat from the lightbulb is no longer a concern.  However, the fixtures for the recessed lighting are places where the insulation may be compromised, and cracks around the edges of the fixtures allow attic air into your home.  Fortunately, cup shaped insulators designed to fit over recessed light fixtures are available to help block the airflow from the attic into your home and insulate over the fixtures.

Doors cannot fit too tightly.  There needs to be enough space for the door to open without getting stuck.  Traditionally, thresholds with rubber on top did the job of stopping air from passing under the door.  These can wear down, and no longer fit well.  Some leakage is of air is possible.  Devices to be placed on the door itself were another level of protection from energy loss, but these had to be screwed into the door, and exterior doors are often sandwiched between metal layers.  And, the attachable devices could drag on the floor where they can sometimes be impeded by an uneven floor.

Currently, a type of door draft stopper consisting of a fabric shaped like a long tube or snake is available.  These are pushed against the door, and form a barrier to airflow.  There is no installation, and they are relatively inexpensive.  The only problem is someone must push the door draft stopper against the door.  Exterior doors open inwardly, so there must be a person inside the home to place the stopper against the door.  In the case of a door opening into a garage, the door may open outward.  The door draft stopper can be applied, but one must remember it is there, or it could be a tripping hazard.

When a door opens inward and there is a door draft stopper against it the cloth stopper will just be pushed aside by the door.  It should not harm the floor, but will not abate airflow until it is again pushed against the door.

If there is a pet door, a door draft stopper for pet doors is available.  While a pet door is often smaller than other doors, airflow under a pet door is possible.

Weather stripping is like a long piece of thick, cushioned tape with an adhesive on one side.  Cut the weather striping for the three sides of the door other than the bottom.  Adhere the weather striping onto the doorframe.  When the door closes it crushes the cushioning material and seals the cracks between the door and the doorframe.  This is an inexpensive solution to a real airflow problem.

There is often some air that can get around a window.  Caulking is an inexpensive method of sealing small air leaks.  Just make certain you use the right caulking for the job.  Some caulk is for areas like bathroom fixtures where water is a problem.  Some caulking is for exterior use.  Some holds up in sunlight better than others.  And some even comes in colors other than white.

Caulking is easy to apply, and can be easily worked with while it is still wet.  But, you must choose between a squeeze tube, which is fine for smaller jobs, or larger tubes that require a caulking gun.  

The above ideas are for easy to use items that can stop loss of energy by unwanted airflow into a home from outside, or from a home by air treated to become the temperature you prefer.

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