Increase Your Home Energy Score for less than $50
Increasing your home energy score and saving money is pretty easy. In fact, the most effective things you can do are the cheapest. We've put together a list of home energy improvements you can do to significantly increase your energy score and save a little money.
Increasing your home energy score and saving money is pretty easy. In fact, the most effective things you can do are the cheapest. We've put together a list of home energy improvements you can do to significantly increase your energy score and save a little money.
Remove Gaps in Insulation: Cost = $0, Efficiency Boost ~50-250%
Removing gaps and cracks in insulation can increase its efficiency up to 250%. Often times you can move insulation around to fill the gaps. If the gaps are too big, you'll have to spend a little money on more insulation.
Caution:
Caution:
- Do not put insulation near old canned lights or cover any knob and tube wiring because doing so can create a fire hazard.
- If you have vermiculite insulation it may contain asbestos and should not be disturbed until it has been tested.
Correctly Installed Insulation
Limit Conditioned Areas: Cost = $30, Efficiency Boost ~5- 30%
Heating vents in areas such as unfinished basements and garages increase your heating bill and lower your home energy score by up to 30%. Even if the vents are "closed" or temporarily sealed you are still loosing energy.
What to do:
What to do:
- Remove and permanently seal vents in all areas of the home that are unfinished and not regularly used as living space.
- Seal the ducts in this area with mastic paste to reduce duct leakage. See notes and illustration below.
Seal Ducting: Cost <$50, Efficiency Boost ~20-30%
On average a home looses 20-30% of its heat from unsealed ducting.
What to do:
What to do:
- Mastic paste should be brushed on everywhere ducts are connected to permanently seal air leaks. Brush on mastic is a dirty job so be prepared.
Brush on Mastic Duct Sealing
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Mastic Tape for Duct Sealing
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Insulate Your Attic Access Panel: Cost = $10, Efficiency Boost <5%
A lot of heat is lost through an uninsulated attic access panel. And, it's an easy fix.
What to do:
What to do:
- We recommend gluing a piece of solid foam to the back side of the access panel. You don't need anything fancy for this job.
