Check Your Home For Energy Leaks

It's easy to conduct a home energy audit to determine how much energy your home consumes and how you can make operating your home less costly. With a simple but diligent walk-through, you can spot many energy-related problems in any type of house.

The first thing to look for is air leaks. You can save as much as 30 percent on annual energy costs by reducing drafts, while making your house more comfortable. Look for gaps around pipes and wires, electrical outlets, foundation seals and mail slots. Also, be sure loose siding is repaired and caulking and weather stripping around windows are applied properly and are in good condition.

Once you've stopped drafts, it's time to look at the walls and ceiling. Heat loss through under-insulated exterior walls can be substantial. Even if there was adequate insulation when your house was built, rising energy prices make it a good idea to increase the amount just in case.

One way to increase the R-value of exterior walls is to have fiber glass insulation blown in from the exterior of your house.

Because insulation is out of sight, it is often out of mind. So it's also hard to know which insulation will perform best for your home. Seek recommendations from your insulation contractor or local retailer. A good place to start is fiber glass insulation. Fiber glass insulation is a proven material that offers high thermal and acoustical performance.

Some of the more technologically advanced insulation products offer the added value of moisture management, a hot issue in homeowners' plight against mold growth. One top-of-the-line product is DryRight™ Fiber Glass Insulation, which was recently introduced by CertainTeed Corporation, a leading maker of insulation and leader in Building Science. DryRight is fiber glass insulation faced with a breathable vapor retarder that helps keep wall cavities dry and helps prevent the growth of damaging mold and mildew. It's a revolutionary concept that tackles the issues homeowners are most concerned about-temperature control, noise control, and moisture and mold control.

Learn more at www.certainteed.com or call (800) 782-8777. Infrared technology detects energy leaks in this home. You can save as much as 30 percent on annual energy costs by reducing drafts.

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