So in Massachusetts right now people that heat with things other than wood can qualify for a 2000$ rebate right now from the state or the electric companies. Good time to get this done as the last day that you can get this is the 31st of December. Remember the ROI on air sealing is incredibly fast and most insulation is in the 3-5 year time frame, not including the rebate.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A note on windows that has come up quite frequently. If your paint is chipping and peeling around the windows then you should consider resealing them with painters caulking or a clear silicon caulking. It's an easy process and a do-it-yourselfer can accomplish this in an afternoon.
BTW I do like working for do-it-yourselfers, they see the work that we are doing and realize that the skill set is easy but the training to see where to insulate/air seal is the whole thing. When NRG (energy) auditing a home for a DIY I do enjoy pointing out the things that they can do that I would normally add to an estimate for my own company. I like seeing the click/light bulb go off in their brain and them realizing that some of the work can be subcontracted to them. It saves them money and it saves us time. Got my first blog follower, thanks dad.
BTW I do like working for do-it-yourselfers, they see the work that we are doing and realize that the skill set is easy but the training to see where to insulate/air seal is the whole thing. When NRG (energy) auditing a home for a DIY I do enjoy pointing out the things that they can do that I would normally add to an estimate for my own company. I like seeing the click/light bulb go off in their brain and them realizing that some of the work can be subcontracted to them. It saves them money and it saves us time. Got my first blog follower, thanks dad.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Yesterday I was in an energy star rated apartment building. They had taken great care to two-part the basement rafters. They had sealed up all the windows painted everything and worked really hard to put in all energy efficient appliances. Low and behold we walk into the basement and there are more energy efficient systems, ie boiler, hot water heater and all new electrical wiring.
And after all that work they dropped the ball on the most easily recognizable way to save money/energy in a home.
They did not insulate the hot water pipes. :/
Everyone, if your going to make your home more energy efficient, start with the hot water pipes. Insulate them, if you show a fifteen year old kid how to do it he can do the work. Jimmy from down the street will be happy to make 12 bucks moving the ladder around in the basement just to put that stuff on the pipes. It's relatively inexpensive and it has a payback faster than just about anything else that can be done. Ok no more rant for now..... maybe.
And after all that work they dropped the ball on the most easily recognizable way to save money/energy in a home.
They did not insulate the hot water pipes. :/
Everyone, if your going to make your home more energy efficient, start with the hot water pipes. Insulate them, if you show a fifteen year old kid how to do it he can do the work. Jimmy from down the street will be happy to make 12 bucks moving the ladder around in the basement just to put that stuff on the pipes. It's relatively inexpensive and it has a payback faster than just about anything else that can be done. Ok no more rant for now..... maybe.
Adventures in the life of a weatherization worker.
This blog is going to not be too exciting it will be for the most part just general oddities that I encounter through energy auditing and weatherization/insulation upgrades. Pictures as they are available is the hope.
One thing that I have noticed as of late is that 1 out of every 4 homes has a stud bay with no insulation. Laziness or something more sinister?
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