Weatherization

Saving energy with weatherization is often inexpensive. Making a weatherization investment can be a green energy no-brainer.

Saving energy with weatherization is simple and often inexpensive. It basically involves sealing up leaks and possibly adding insulation. Just taking advantage of weatherization can reduce your energy bill by up to 10%. But, when you integrate weatherization with other green energy technologies, the benefits of each leverages the others. In other words, " 1 plus 1" can equal 3 or 4.

Seal Up Leaks

The first step in weatherizing a home or commercial building is to discover where inside air is leaking out . . . and where outside air is leaking in. A weatherization contractor will likely conduct a blower door test to make that determination. Following the test, you can have the contractor seal up cracks and leaks . . . or you can do it yourself.

Some cracks and leaks are obvious and fixing them requires only a little caulk or weather seal. Other leaks can be harder to find and deal with (leaking duct work is one example). Fixing more challenging leaks is a job for pros. In addition to special techniques, weatherization contractors will use special materials that may include expandable foams and foam boards, duct mastic and high tech. sealing and caulking materials.

Add Insulating

The second thing that a weatherization contractor will do is assure that your home or commercial building has sufficient insulating. Often. big insulating gaps are left during building construction or during subsequent installation or repair of structural components and systems. Filling these gaps is frequently inexpensive and just makes good sense.

Again, adding insulation can be a job for your contractor, or you may want to do it yourself. In making that decision the degree of difficulty and possible need for permits is one consideration. Another important consideration is the type of insulating material that will be used. New and better insulating materials are becoming available. Many have unique installation requirements.

Replace Windows and Doors

Lots of big glass windows and doors are great to have. They let natural sunlight in and (to some degree) keep unwanted weather out. But, the problem with most windows and doors is that most also let 10% to 30% of your heating and air conditioning leak out. 

Caulking and weather stripping may solve part of this problem. But single pane windows have very little insulating value. As a result, if you are weatherizing a building in a warm climate, you will want to consider installing tinted window film on south and west-facing windows. shading those windows with outside plantings or awnings, or covering those windows (when absolutely necessary) with insulating blinds or shades.

In both warm and cold climates, your weatherization consideration should also include replacing single pane windows with dual-pane alternatives. In colder climates, storm windows may also be an alternative.

Rooftop Weatherization

Most rooftops should also be considered as part of a weatherization program. Whether insulation under the rooftop is adequate or not, repairing or replacing roofing is a good time to consider adding exterior insulation with foam or other built-up roofing materials.

Weatherization And Your
Green Energy Roadmap

Weatherization is just one of the several dozen green energy technologies that can reduce your energy bill. While each of these technologies provides unique benefits, no single technology is a "magic bullet."

Getting the best return on your green energy investment requires integrating the most cost-effective combination of technologies possible. Consider weatherization as just one component of your Green Energy Roadmap.