Home Thermal Energy - 9 Steps To Detect And Fix Heat Loss Problems

Whether you live in a warm or cold climate, heatingwill provide a home energy audit kit. Some may even
and cooling account for over half of the averageconduct the audit for you for a fee or in some cases,
home energy costs. Making sure your house isfree of charge.
adequately weatherized and insulated is your first line5. Frost buildup on windows is clear evidence of poor
of defense to stopping unnecessary home thermalweatherstripping and an inadequate storm window. To
energy loss. It will not only save you money, but reduceinexpensively stop home thermal energy loss in this
pollution and slow the depletion of irreplaceable naturalcase, just upgrade the weatherstripping and add a
resources.layer of plastic sheeting on the exterior or interior side
Some obvious signs that home thermal energy is beingof the window.
wasted are: general draftiness; constant frost on your6. Condensation or frost between windows happens
windows; snow melting off your roof more quickly thanwhen moisture builds up in the space between the
other nearby homes; and high heating bills. Some notwindow and the storm window. To save thermal
so obvious signs of home heat energy loss are:energy for this problem and keep the warm, moist air
inadequate wall insulation; warm air escaping aroundon the inside, update the interior weatherstripping. Also,
chimneys; and heat loss through glass.you need to check that there's an outlet for moisture in
Here are 9 ways to find and correct Home Thermalthe storm window. If there isn't, you can make one by
Energy loss:drilling one or two small holes in the lower rail of the
1. Measure insulation between the joists in your attic tostorm window.
determine if it meets the recommended R-value7. Inspect insulation and weatherstripping. What you
standards. To figure out the total current R-value,want to check for here are signs of deterioration like
multiply the number of inches of loose insulation by 3.7;crumbling foam or rubber; hardening of materials like
for fiberglass insulation, multiply by 3.1 per inch. If totalfelt or foam rubber that should be flexible; and
amounts are substandard, you need to add moredamaged metal stripping. Replacing these materials as
insulation to meet the standard. The recommendedneeded goes a long way in saving your home thermal
R-value for attics in a cold climate is R38; for aenergy and keeping your average home utility costs
moderate climate, R26.down.
2. Measure the temperature in different areas of a8. Monitor energy usage and cost and compare them
room. A room is poorly sealed if you can detectfrom year-to-year. You'll want to take into account
differences in temperature of one or two degrees.general weather conditions and utility rate structure
Saving thermal energy in this case is as easy aschanges, but a significant increase is a good indicator
upgrading the weatherstripping around doors andthat weatherstripping or insulation may need to be
windows.replaced or improved.
3. Check for drafts around windows and doors. An9. Get an infrared photograph of your home taken by
easy way to do this is on a windy day, hold a tissuean infrared inspection service. The photograph will
next to the gaps where your doors and windowsshow you the exact areas where your home thermal
open and close. If the tissue flutters, yourenergy is being lost so that the necessary
weatherstripping is inadequate, and it should beimprovements can be made.
replaced or upgraded. Another heat saving idea toA tightly sealed and well-insulated house is your key to
minimize home thermal energy loss is to look for lightsaving big money on your home thermal energy. Use
showing from the outside around door and windowthe heat saving tips above to eliminate drafts and cold
jambs.spots and create a more comfortable, saving energy
4. Conduct a home energy audit with the assistancehouse that you and your family can enjoy.
of your local utility company. Most power companies