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EFFICIENCY CHECKLIST
—
presented by Dennis Grigassy, Realtor® - RE/MAX Heritage
How
efficient is your home?
Are
you
aware that there are a number of easy inexpensive “do it yourself”
projects
that will reduce your cooling and heating costs and also make your home
a healthier more comfortable place to live?
A new
heating or cooling unit will not make your house more efficient. The
only
way to reduce your heating and cooling requirements is to tighten up
the
structure itself.
Attic
__
Insulate
the attic to R-38. If it is over R-30, go on to other items before
adding
additional insulation. R-30 is approximately 10 inches of fiberglass
batt
or cellulose.
__
Attic
vents need to be unobstructed and open to provide adequate air
ventilation.
__
Caulk
electrical wire penetrations at the top of the interior walls and wires
into ceiling fixtures.
__
Insulate
attic access door by attaching extruded (pink or blue) foam insulation
to backside.
__
Weather-strip
attic access door.
__
Seal
around plumbing stack(s).
__
Seal
around the chimney using a high temperature sealant such as muffler
cement
and metal flashing where necessary.
__
Seal
all other holes between the heated/cooled space and the attic.
Main
Level
__
Check
weather-stripping on windows and doors.
__
Install
foam gasket on all wall outlets and switches, and use child safety
plugs
backed with gasket punch-outs to keep cold/hot air from coming through
the sockets.
__
Caulk
along baseboards with a clear sealant.
__
If
you have a room air conditioner, remove it for the winter or seal it up
and insulate it.
__
When
unable to replace an inefficient window, install plastic over the
inside
of the window. If you desire something more permanent than plastic,
install
an interior storm window.
__
Replace
broken glass and any loose caulking.
__
Replace
your old leaky windows. Use low expanding foam around the new window
woodwork,
caulk where the frame meets the wall and all other joints in the window
woodwork with a clear sealant.
__
Replace
an old warped entry door with a new insulated door.
If
you have a fireplace
__
Check
to make sure the damper is closed tightly when not in use.
__
Install
tight fitting glass doors and/or make a decorative insulated cover for
it.
__
Install
a top sealing damper
__
Provide
outside air for combustion.
Exterior
__
Caulk
around all penetrations such as telephone, cable, gas, dryer vents,
electrical
outlets, water faucets, etc.
__
Caulk
around window and doorframes.
__
Install
storm windows on all single-glazed windows.
__
Install
storm doors where you have none.
__
If
you are re-siding, consider adding ¾” to 1 ½” of extruded
foam insulation with taped seams.
__
Keep
dryer vent screens lint free.
Miscellaneous
__
If
you have a floor over an unheated/uncooled space, such as a
tucked-under
garage, insulate the space between the floor and the garage to R-20 or
greater.
If you
are considering selling your house and/or buying another home (or
you know someone who is) —
Call
DENNIS GRIGASSY ... and you'll be on your way home!
Contact
Me Today! CLICK
HERE to send me an E-mail or Call me.

DENNIS
GRIGASSY, Realtor Associate - RE/MAX Heritage - 832.338.5339
www.DennisMyRealtor.com