This document discusses steps to improve home energy efficiency. The biggest energy consumers are space heating, appliances/lighting, and water heating. An energy audit identifies energy losses from conduction, convection, and framing/windows. The first step is an audit to find waste and recommend retrofits. The second step is weatherizing by sealing leaks around windows, doors, outlets and ducts. The third step is proper insulation of attics, walls, floors, and foundations. The fourth step is improving windows. The fifth step covers appliances, lighting, ventilation, and reducing phantom loads. Improving efficiency through simple projects provides great savings.

1. Adriana Galue
Wolfgang Custom Finishes
2008

2. HOME ENERGY STATS
 Biggest energy consumers
 Space heating – 34%
 Appliances and lighting – 34%
 Refrigerator – 8%
 Water Heating – 13%
 Electric A/C – 11%

3. Energy Losses
 Conduction loss through solid materials
 Wet ground increases conductive loss (water great
conductor of heat)
 Conduction and radiation loss through framing and
window frames
 Convection forces air out roof (light fixtures, ceiling
fans, etc)

4. First Step – Gather Info
 Home Energy Audit
 Figure out where energy is being wasted ($300 - $500)
 Look at utility bills
 Ask about your concerns, comfort issues
 Visual inspection (top to bottom)
 look for leaks, Check for insulation, Inspect windows, Inspect
appliances
 Perform blower door test / IR – how leaky is the house
 A good rating is 1000 – 1500 CFM
 Perform Duct blast test -
 May lose 35% of heat through ducts
 Make recommendations and hire professional retrofitters

5. Second Step - Weatherize
 Seal leaks
 Caulk all leaks / Seal windows and doors, outlets,
plumbing penetrations
 Seal ceiling penetration (recessed lighting, attic access
doors)
 HOW TO SEAL
 Large leaks use backer rod (larger than 3/8”)
 Liquid foam (window and door installation, gaps and cracks 1/8” – ½”, Big
Gap – ½” – 1”)
 Caulk – Silicone is the best
 Weather stripping – many types depending on application
 Light switch / outlet cover gaskets
 Door Sweeps
 Seal HVAC Ducts with Mastic sealant

6. Third Step - Insulate
 ONLY INSULATE AFTER SEALING AND INSTALL
CORRECTLY
 Reduce heat loss - Attic 30%, Walls 16-20%, Floors 5-15%,
Foundation, Windows
 Call building department for code and increase by 30%
 Call local builders, check EPA energy star
 Where to use
 Attics – loose fill, blankets, liquid foam
 Walls – loose fill, blankets (if new), liquid foam
 Floors – Blankets (moisture barrier against floor) and liquid foam
 Foundations – rigid board rated for burial
 Exterior sheathing – roofs and exterior walls

7. Fourth Step - Windows
 Plastic window coverings –reduce air infiltration
 Internal and external storm windows – made of plastic or glass
 Insulate - Create an airspace between window and storm window
 Window replacement - Very expensive
 Casement windows best option
 Want
 Low U factor - reciprocal of R value, want 0.3 or lower
 double pane better to reduce conductivity of heat
 low-e coating (low emissivity) – microscopically thin layer of tin of metallic oxide that
reduces heat flow
 gas filled (argon or krypton) – increase R-value by 0.5
 type of sash (not metal, want wood, vinyl, or fiberglass)
 warm edge space to insulate edge of class
 heat mirror film (like a third pane)
 low infiltration (air-tight) - Want under 0.3
 Want higher condensation rating (between 0-100)
 heat gain coefficient to match application - want 0.4 to 0.55 or higher in intermediate
climates
 good visible transmittance (clear glass = 90%), want over 60%
 energy star qualified

8. Fifth Step - Other
 Energy Star appliances (water heater first)
 Minimize lighting –CFL’s, LED’s
 Behavioral changes (hand-wash dishes, clothes line)
 Use radiant barriers / window shades
 Natural ventilation
 Utilize fans to cool vs mechanical cooling
 Programmable thermostat
 Reduce Phantom loads

9. Conclusion
 Always go for energy efficiency prior to renewable
energy technologies
 Simple projects can add up to great savings
 Look at projects that can do on own with simple
materials and a little labor