Peter benson
A ductwork system is a network of tubes in your walls, floors, and ceiling s that transports the air from your furnace and/or central air conditioner to each individual room in your house. This network is made of sheet metal, fiberglass, or other materials. Most ductwork systems that have not been modernized could be eating up your energy bills.
Many of these systems are poorly insulated or not insulated at all. This is what raises your energy bill each month. If you are purchasing a new duct system, think about buying one that already has insulation installed. If you’re insulating a duct, make sure it’s in an unconditioned space.
The following is a list of helpful information in order for you to repair small duct damages; along with other miscellaneous tips:
• Inspect your ducts first and check for air leaks. Start looking for tubes that should be joined, but are obviously separated, and then move to the obvious holes.
• If you want to use duct tape to fix the ducts, make sure you’re using the type with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) emblem on it. This kind of tape will decrease the amounts of cracks associated with aging.
• If you’re insulating ducts in the basement, keep in mind that it will make your basement cooler.
• If you’re using the basement as a living area, install the supply and registers in the rooms in the basement.
• In order to prevent moisture buildup on cooling ducts, make sure there’s a well sealed vapor barrier.
• Consult professional help if you are in doubt with repairing ducts.
When ducts are losing heat because of poor insulation, this wastes energy, along with spending more of your money on the energy bill.
October 25, 2008
[...] DIY Ductwork The following is a list of helpful information in order for you to repair small duct damages; along with other miscellaneous tips:. • Inspect your ducts first and check for air leaks. Start looking for tubes that should be joined, … [...]
October 26, 2008
How To Reduce Your Energy Bills / Energy Conservation Begins at Home
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long — the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.
These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in — costing you higher heating bills.
Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.
But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home — the folding attic stair, the whole house fan or AC return, the fireplace, and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Attic Stairs
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an attic stair cover. An attic stair cover provides an air seal, reducing the air leaks. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.
Whole House Fans and AC Returns
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan cover. Installed from the attic side, the whole house fan cover is invisible. Cover the fan to reduce heating and air-conditioning loss, remove it when use of the fan is desired.
Fireplaces
A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the air leakage and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a fireplace draftstopper. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, a fireplace draftstopper is an inflatable pillow that seals the damper, eliminating any air leaks. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.
Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts
An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted air infiltration, and keep out pests, bees and rodents as well. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.
If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan, an AC return, a fireplace, and/or a clothes dryer, you can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.
Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover, an attic access door, and is the U.S. distributor of the fireplace draftstopper. To learn more visit http://www.batticdoor.com