DIY Energy Efficiency

As the cost of home heating oil goes up the energy inefficiencies of our homes become painfully evident. Precious warmth - and the energy needed to produce it is lost forever through air leaks around windows, baseboards and electrical outlets.

Not only is the lack of "enerficiency" financially costly to individuals, it is also environmentally costly to the next few generations. Wasted energy produced by nonrenewable fossil fuel sources totals millions of dollars annually.

But it can be so easy to improve the "enerficiency" of every home. One of the quickest ways to see results is to caulk, seal and weather-strip all seams, cracks and openings to the outside. Take the time to caulk both sides of your window casing, the inside of the frame and the outer perimeter. Savings of $100-$200 per season can be realized just by this alone.

Sources of air leaks in our home:

Window sashes and frames
Baseboards, coves andinteriorwindow trim
Chimney penetration
Electrical boxes and outlets
Light, fixtures

The same simple steps can be taken in the summer to improve efficiency in air conditioning costs.

D. Black,
President, Greenstation Go.
Lansing, MI