Department of Energy Energy Savers PowerPoint: Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks 3 of 12

Department of Energy

Energy Savers PowerPoint: Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks

3 of 12

This 12 part PowerPoint series is taken directly from Energy Savers Booklet, Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home, U.S. Department of Energy

Contents

1. Save Energy and Money Today 2. Your Home’s Energy Use 3. Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks 4. Heating and Cooling 5. Water Heating 6. Windows 7. Lighting 8. Appliances 9. Home Office and Home Electronics10. Driving and Car Maintenance11. Renewable Energy12. References

Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks

• This presentation will show you how easy it is to reduce your energy use at home.

• Easy, practical solutions include tips you can use, throughout your home—from the roof, walls, and insulation that enclose it to the appliances and lights inside.

Insulation and Sealing Air Leaks

Reduce energy demand

Cut amount of resources needed

Create less greenhouse gas emissions

Reduce utility bills

A Good Insulation System

• Is a combination of products and construction techniques that– Protect a home from outside hot or cold temperatures– Protect a home against air leaks– Control moisture

• Will reduce energy waste• Makes the most of your energy dollars

Places to Insulate

Attic

Walls

Floors

Crawl space Basemen

t

Measuring Insulation

Insulation is measured in R-values• The higher the R-value, the better your walls and

roof will resist the transfer of heat

Climate Zones

Recommended Total R-values

Kentucky

• Mixed, humid Climate Zone 4

Insulation

Kentucky

Types of Insulation

• Rolls and batts• Loose-fill• Rigid foam• Foam-in-place

Roll and Batt Insulation

•Flexible•Made from mineral fibersFiberglassRock wool•Available in standard widths

Loose-fill Insulation

•Loose fibersFiberglassRock woolCellulose•Blown into spaces•Well suited for hard-to-reach spaces

Rigid Foam Insulation

•More expensive•Offers high R-value in small spaces

Foam-in-place Insulation

•Blown into walls•Reduces air leakage around windows and door frames

Should I Insulate My Home?

Decide to insulate your home when:• You have an older home and have not added

insulation.– Only 20% of homes built before 1980 are well

insulated

1980

Should I Insulate My Home?

Decide to insulate your home when:• You have an older home and have not added

insulation.• You are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot in

the summer.– Insulation creates more uniform temperatures

Should I Insulate My Home?

Decide to insulate your home when:• You have an older home and have not added insulation.• You are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot in the summer.• You build a new home, addition, or install new siding or roofing.

Should I Insulate My Home?

Decide to insulate your home when:• You have an older home and have not added insulation.• You are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot in the summer.• You build a new home, addition, or install new siding or roofing.• You pay high energy bills.

Should I Insulate My Home?

Decide to insulate your home when:• You have an older home and have not added

insulation.• You are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot in

the summer.• You build a new home, addition, or install new

siding or roofing.• You pay high energy bills.• You are bothered by noise from outside.

Insulation Tips

5 easy and effective ways to save energy with insulation

Insulation Tips

Consider:

Climate

Building design

Budget

R-value

Insulation Tips

• Use higher density insulation on exterior walls, such as rigid foam boards, in cathedral ceilings, and on exterior walls

Insulation Tips

• Ventilation helps with moisture control and reducing summer cooling bills

Insulation Tips

• Recessed light fixtures can be a major source of heat loss

• Be careful how close you place insulation next to a fixture unless it is marked IC—designed for direct insulation contact

Imag

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esy

of U

.S. E

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Insulation Tips

• Follow product instructions on installation and wear the proper protective gear when installing insulation

Long-Term Savings Tip

One of the most cost-effective ways to make your home more comfortable year-round is to add insulation to your attic.

Long-Term Savings Tip

To find out if you have enough attic insulation, measure the thickness of the insulation.

If you have less than R-30 (11 inches of fiber glass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose), you could probably benefit by adding more insulation.

Long-Term Savings Tip

Insulate the attic access door

New Construction

Use both cavity insulation and insulative sheathing

New Construction

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

New Construction

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)

New ConstructionStraw bales for walls

New Construction

Sealing Air Leaks

Quick dollar-saving tasks for leaky seams,cracks and openings to the outside• Caulk• Seal• Weather-strip

Sources of Air Leaks

1. Dropped ceiling 2. Recessed light 3. Attic entrance 4. Sill plates 5. Water and furnace flues 6. All ducts 7. Door frames 8. Chimney flashing 9. Window frames10. Electrical outlets and switches11. Plumbing and utility access

How Does Air Escape from a Home?

Floors, Walls, and Ceiling,

31%

Ducts, 15%Fireplace,

14%

Plumbing Penetration,

13%

Doors; 11%

Windows; 10%

Electric Outlets; 2%

Fans and Vents, 4%

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

Windward

Leeward

Incense stick

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

• Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch plates on walls.

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

Dirt

Dirt

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

When fireplace is in use, open damper.

When fireplace is not in use, close damper.

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

•Use a foam sealant around larger gaps around windows.•Always use a non-expanding foam.

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

Add an exhaust fan cover

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

• Replace existing door bottoms and thresholds with ones that have pliable sealing gaskets

Tips for Sealing Air Leaks

• Use inflatable chimney balloons, that fit beneath the fireplace flue during periods of non-use, to help prevent heat loss if a metal fireplace flue is warped

SummarySeal air leaks

Insulate

Save money

Lower energy use

Snug Home