Insulation

Insulate Now

2011-09-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

Now that summer is over, it is time to add extra insulation to save money this winter on energy costs. Take a yardstick up in the attic and meassure the depth of the insulation there. If it is 6 inches or less, you will benefit greatly by adding more attic insulation. Six inche will give you an R value of 19 while 12 inches will boost it up to R38. This will keep your furnace running less and more money in your wallet.

Get Ready

2011-08-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

Get some old clothes on and get ready to get dirty. Now is the time to start inspecting your home and getting it ready for winter. If there are any shingles missing, get them replaced now. Put new roofing cement around pipes and seams. With snow setting on the roof, there is a good chance it will find it's way in if there is a bad spot anywhere. Check your crawl space for clutter and debris. This area should be free so air can flow to keep it dry. Once it starts to get below freezing, then close of your foundation vents. Cut a piece of board insulation to size and seal around the edges. So get ready and get inspecting.

No electricity

2011-08-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

We have grown soft and spoiled. We are energy gluttons living in comfort. To help the planet recover, we all need to pitch in and help. I am asking for 1 day a month. Use no electricity, no gasoline, and use part of that day to walk around or ride a bicycle to pick up aluminum cans for recycling. One day a month to help the planet. It does not seem like much, but if everyone did this we would save huge amounts of energy. So keep our planet alive and do real community service for the good of everyone.

Autumn Is Great For Insulating

2011-08-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

With Autumn arriving soon, it is a good time to buy some extra insulation to put in your attic space. You can either opt for blow in type or some unfaced fiberglass roll insulation. If you already have some insulation in your attic, it is best not to have the paper on it. When installing any insulation with paper backing, always have the paper side towards the living area. This can save you some bucks on your utility bills for years to come.

Perpetual Motor Generators

2011-08-16T18:28:00.000-07:00

Check out these perpetual motor generators on YouTube or elsewhere on the web. Building a small one should produce enough electricity to power a small house. I'm not making claims here, just saying it could be worth checking out. Anything to lower the dependence on coal and oil. Do some research but check it out good. Don't give out money because most likely it will be a scam. Keep creating free energy.

Solar Updraft Towers

2011-08-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

Solar updraft towers could be a big help in decreasing our supply on oil. They are made with reinforced concrete and glass, which is available almost anywhere. A large one can put out as much energy as a conventional power plant. They work on the principle that hot air rises and creates an updraft, it also uses no fuel and takes very little mainentence. And also no deadly radiation or chemicals. Let's vote for the solar towers.

A Really Green Car

2011-02-20T05:12:00.000-08:00

In Australia they tested a new wind powered car that set a lot of new records. This car was extremely lightweight but you can see potential for better things. It is an electric powered vehicle use a battery similar to most recent electric cars. The difference is it comes with a retractable wind turbine that is used to recharge the battery. This works out to an almost zero emission vehicle. This would be a great commute to work vehicle. You can recharge the battery during the day at work and at night in your driveway. Imagine the money you will save on energy by cutting out your fuel cost. Hopefully this will be in the market someday so the consumer can benefit from it. It will also be good for the planet by cutting the carbon footprint done immensely.

Heating Duct Insulation

2011-01-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

If your heating duct work is made out of fibered insulation duct board, every time your furnace kicks on it blows air across these fibers in the insulation. This can cause respiratory and itching problems, especially in children and the elderly. It is much better to use metal furnace pipe and seal all the seams good, then insulate the outside, preferably with a thick foam type insulation. Fiberglass type insulation works good, but it always needs to be sealed away from the living area. See you next time.

Attic Insulation

2011-01-18T16:00:00.000-08:00

When installing attic insulation, there is more to it than just blowing insulation in. Your attic needs to be sealed from the living quarters. I don't mean block the entrance to your attic. This is something that also needs consideration. You will need to have an airtight seal around your attic entrance. The insulation in your attic can also leak around light fixtures, in corners, and any unsealed holes. The fibers from your attic insulation can leak into your living area and cause respiratory problems, itchy skin, and other health related problems. Your attic insulation should stay in your attic, including the small tiny fibers. If you have a contractor installing your attic insulation, make sure he is aware that there could be small openings to let these fibers in. Stay healthy and see you next time.

The Replacement

2011-01-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

When an appliance wears out and it is time for a replacement, make sure the new product is energy efficient. Check to see if it has a green star rating. A new water heater should be well insulated and have a large burner or coil. A tank-less water heater is a little more energy efficient, however the high cost of buying and also installing makes a long time to pay for itself. Wash your clothes in cold water and you will save on your energy bill. Run the dishwasher only when it is full. Even though individual things do not seem like much, everything does add up. See you all later.

Heat Loss And Insulation

2011-01-02T14:06:00.000-08:00

The heat is always trying move to the cold areas. This is a natural occurrence in nature. In the winter the heat is trying to get out of the house and in the summer, it wants in. To slow down the heat transfer, you must insulate. Heat travels due to convection, conduction, and radiation. For best results it is best to combine fiberglass insulation wit reflective type of insulation. This way you will slow down all types of heat transfer. Insulation alone will not stop all heat loss. The insulation in your wall is not a seal. It just slows down the heat transfer to the cold areas. But it is good to insulate. The amount of money you will save on your utility bills will be tremendous over an uninsulated house. See you again.

Insulation going green

2010-12-25T06:26:00.000-08:00

Insulation going green will be a big relief to some peoples health problems. Fiberglass insulation does bother the respiratory system of some. Going green is also good for the planet. Some of the going green insulation is a little more expensive, but in the long run it could save you money on future health problems.
Using recycled denim is one insulation used for going green. It is manufacture commercially and installed like batt insulation. After installing the insulation, you need to glue up plastic sheeting to the studs before installing the drywall. This is your vapor barrier and is very important to use.
Wool is another green insulation. It is very durable and also fire and water resistant. The down side of using these green insulation's is the cost.
One of the most natural of all green insulation's is dirt. If you are getting ready to build a house, you might consider going underground. Building an underground house will save you much money on utility bills over the years. Saving energy is good for your wallet and also the planet thanks you.

Water Lines

2010-12-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

If you live in a climate where it gets cold enough to freeze water, you need to decide how you want to keep your household water from freezing. On some older houses, they are built so low to the ground that it is very hard to access the water lines. You can seal around the foundation so it is air tight and the wind can not blow in. This will help hold the heat from the house from escaping from underneath it, therefore lessening the chances of your water pipes freezing. You can also trench your way under the house to the water lines to wrap them with insulation, or better yet, heat tape. If you live in a mobile home and have occurring problems with water lines freezing, you could reroute your water lines to run through your heat duct work. A busted water line when it is 10 degrees below zero is real hard to work on, so prepare in better weather to prevent a costly disaster. See you next time.

Energy Savings

2010-12-05T06:12:00.000-08:00

Saving energy is a very important thing to do. In the long run it will help the planet, including the animals that we share it with. This saving of energy will also save you money that can be used elsewhere for better purposes. Turn your thermostat down to 65 degrees and dress warmer. You will actually sleep better in a cool room. If dressing warmer is uncomfortable for you, invest in a programmable thermostat that so that you can keep the house cool while you are away and warm it back up just before you arrive home. Also do not forget to to insulate. Most homes are under insulated. This will save you money and make it easier to keep your house heated or cooled in the summer. See you next time.

Double Bubble Insulation

2010-12-01T17:22:00.000-08:00

Double bubble insulation is a foil type insulation that comes in different size rolls. This insulation is used in pole barn buildings, residential houses, and commercial buildings. It has many other commercial uses also. The main advantage of this type of insulation is the ability to reflect longwave radiant heat. Properly installed, this insulation will reflect up to 95% of all radiant heat. It also re radiates only 5% of the heat compared to 90% of ordinary building materials. This makes it an excellent insulation to use in cold and hot climates. It can be used as house-wrap in a new constructed home. This will give the radiant heat effect and will save you money on your utility bills. It can also be placed on top of existing insulation in your home. See you again.

The EdenPURE Heater

2010-11-28T17:31:00.000-08:00

The EdenPure heater is a newer heating system that heats a whole room evenly and efficiently. You can turn your thermostat down on your furnace and by using one of these heaters, you can enjoy savings from 20 to 50 dollars a month or more. They are very safe to be around with no danger of burning, making it ideal for pets, children, and the elderly. There are many different models available, including a EdenPURE personal heater, which is easily moved from room to room and can heat up to 300 sq. feet. Go and get one now and save money on utilities this winter.

Fireplace

2010-11-26T18:39:00.000-08:00

Having a fire in your fireplace can be very pretty and relaxing. It is however a very inefficient way of heating. Most of the heat will go up the chimney. When a fireplace is not being used, it can also be a very big heat loss. Seal it up and insulate around it. You will be amazed at the savings. There are many new ways to heat your house, the edenpure heater being one of them. More about this later. See you next time.

Heat Loss

2010-11-23T18:57:00.000-08:00

When you are in the kitchen cooking this winter, do not run the exhaust fan for more than 10 or 15 minutes. The same goes for the bathroom. When you are done smelling the place up, run the fan only a short time. These exhaust fans will suck the heat out along with odors, so don't forget about them. Don't go outside to talk to a visitor and leave the door open. There are many things you can do to stop the heat loss, the biggest thing is being aware of what is going on. See you soon.

Sound

2010-11-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

Insulation can also be used for sound deadening between rooms. This can be very helpful when you want to watch television and your kids are listening to their CD player. It will also help with energy savings and will pay for itself over the years. Insulation can also be used in speaker cabinets to help improve the sound quality. Not only will insulation help keep you warm or cool, it also has other uses. See you again.

Buying Insulation

2010-11-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

When you are buying insulation, always shop around, The same brand and size might be up to 15% higher in different stores. Always call before you go looking. A phone call is much cheaper than using gas to go from store to store. Also ask if the product is in stock and if there is enough for the job you are doing. This will save you time and aggravation from going there first and finding out they do not have what you want. See you all soon.

Cheapest Insulation

2010-11-18T18:40:00.000-08:00

The cheapest insulation is not always the best buy. The cheapest insulation per R value is the fiberglass roll insulation. This comes in different widths and thicknesses for your convenience. Do not use insulation made for 2 x 6 studs in 2 x 4 studded walls. You will have to crush the insulation in, therefore decreasing the R value. The cheapest board insulation is probably the Styrofoam type. This insulation has very low R value breaks very easy. You will be better off getting a high density foam board insulation. Stay warm this winter, insulate now.

Dryer Vents

2010-11-16T18:26:00.000-08:00

Don't forget about the dryer vents this winter. Seal around the perimeter with good clear silicone caulking. A well maintained dryer will run more efficiently. Keep the vent clear and unobstructed of objects to help prevent a fire. Dried lint will build up in these vents and it is highly flammable. If you do not use your dryer, seal these vents off to prevent heat loss. See you later.

Water Lines

2010-11-11T19:01:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. How is everybody? Before freezing weather sets in, make sure you wrap your water pipes with insulation. There is special insulation made for water lines and pipes. There is a foam piece in the in the shape of the pipe with a slit down the length for easy installation. Also available is heated insulation wrap which is more expensive, but is an excellent investment. You can also wrap the pipes with fiberglass roll insulation. If a pipe freezes and breaks, it will be much more costly than the money you spend on insulating them. So get on it and insulate them now. See you all later.

The Heat Is On

2010-11-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

In parts of the world near the equator it is hot every day. And I mean hot. To run air conditioning all the time cost lots of money. It is also the cause of frequent brown outs. If every one insulated their homes and businesses better, then demand for energy would go down and perhaps no more brown outs. Windows are a big energy loss. so install insulated glass windows to help your house stay cool. See you all later.

2010-11-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

It has been below freezing now and you can feel winter in the wind. It is not to late to insulate for this coming winter. The cheapest insulation will even help to keep your house warm. If your house is poorly insulated, then anything you add to it will help tremendously. The cheapest insulation is probably the Styrofoam board insulation. This usually comes in 4 x 8 sheets and sometimes 2 x 8 sheets. The easiest money savings is to blow in insulation in your attic. The cheapest insulation of this type is called cellulose insulation. It is real dusty to work with but it has real good insulating value. Have a great weekend everybody.