Reviewed and Revised on 10/10/2013
Knee walls are found in houses with finished attics and multiple ceiling heights. The knee wall is the short wall that reaches from the sloped ceiling to the floor, or connects the upper ceiling to the lower ceiling inside the attic. Not only are air leaks common in these areas, but they are frequently not insulated properly.
Insulation itself does not stop air flow. For wall insulation to do its job, …
Reviewed and Revised on 11/13/2013
Construction gaps and resulting air leakages can increase heating and cooling costs, create comfort and moisture problems, draw in pollutants, reduce fire safety, and serve as an entry for rodents and insects. Windows, doors, and outside walls can contribute to air leakage, but the greatest losses occur in gaps and holes that are hidden from view and cause a continuous air exchange between the interior and the attic, crawl space, and outdoors.
Homes should have …
Reviewed and Revised on 11/12/2013
Proper Installation of Home Insulation is very critical to ensure that the desired Home Energy Efficiency gets achieved.
Installation: Compressing (squeezing) of insulation erodes its R-value and should be always avoided. Batt and roll insulation should be slit and trimmed to fit around wiring, electrical boxes, etc. If using paper-faced batts, staple the paper on the ends, not inside, the studs. Insulation should be trimmed to fit into voids around rough openings, chimneys, etc. Even …
Reviewed and Revised 01/03/2014
Set thermostats no higher than 68 ºF when people are home.
Lower the thermostat when you sleep or not at home. Lowering the thermostat by 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hrs can help you save 5-15% annually on your heating bill. Energy.gov website states that if the setback period is 8 hrs or longer than
Reviewed and Revised on 10/10/2013
Questions and Answers about Caulking and Weatherstripping Your Home
In a well-insulated home, air leaks are the greatest cause of wasted heating and cooling energy. Caulking and weatherstripping are effective ways to rid your home of costly drafts. Keep in mind that heat always moves toward …
Reviewed and Revised on 10/31/2013
A radiant barrier (sometimes called radiant heat barrier) is a layer of metallic foil, reflective paint or any other reflective material which can effectively block the “radiation” form of heat. Aluminium foil is the most commonly used radiant barrier in attics in homes. The purpose of installing a radiant barrier is to reduce heat gain for a home especially during hot weather, and cut down on energy bills while increasing the home comfort.
What is …
Reviewed and Revised on 11/13/2013
Properly insulating your home will not only help reduce your heating and cooling costs, but also make your home more comfortable.
How does insulation reduce heat transfer?
Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow per square foot of cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of heat transfer. Heat transfer is accomplished by conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the …
