Stop heat loss with energy efficiency measures
Bret Curry is the residential energy
manager for Arkansas Electric Cooperative
Corporation.
Starting last month, cold winter weather finally arrived after a record-breaking warm December across parts of the country. With the arrival of cold temperatures also comes an increase in the Delta-T, which is the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures. As a reminder, when the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures increases, additional energy is required to maintain a desired comfort level. In other words, the colder it gets outside, the cost for additional heat to maintain our comfort also increases. On Earth, heat moves to cooler regions. That means that during the winter, heat that is generated within the home will move to colder areas.
A major contributor of residential heat loss is leaky ductwork and inadequate or missing insulation within the attic, sidewalls, subfloors and slab areas. The hard-earned dollars you spend to heat your home can escape easily to the cold outdoors though leaky ductwork and inadequate insulation. This is why our teaching materials stress the importance of properly installed insulation and sealed ductwork. However, when the home is built or retrofitted with energy efficiency components and measures, these improvements will decelerate heat loss. This slowing down of heat loss improves personal comfort and lowers heating costs.Starting last month, cold winter weather finally arrived after a record-breaking warm December across parts of the country. With the arrival of cold temperatures also comes an increase in the Delta-T, which is the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures. As a reminder, when the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures increases, additional energy is required to maintain a desired comfort level. In other words, the colder it gets outside, the cost for additional heat to maintain our comfort also increases. On Earth, heat moves to cooler regions. That means that during the winter, heat that is generated within the home will move to colder areas.
Furthermore, there are numerous places within a home that make it easy for heat to invisibly sneak away from your home. While they might seem negligible, all areas of heat loss add up and when addressed can equate to energy savings and improved comfort. Many of these areas are simple, do-it-yourself fixes. One of the best ways to measure heat loss is by taking images of the suspected areas of air loss with an infrared camera. The following images were all taken in mid-January, just after sunrise when the outside temperature was 32 degrees.
Common electrical outlet. The infrared camera reveals the temperature around the outlet is 48 degrees. Wisps of outside cold air are visible (in dark purple) due to negative pressure created by the clothes dryer and bathroom exhaust fans. Also, there was little to no insulation behind the outlet. An affordable solution is installation of a foam gasket and childproof plugs for empty receptacles. Both of these items are available at building supply centers. Be sure to turn off the power when working around electricity.
- C
ommon entry door. Note the dark purple colors at the bottom of the door in the adjacent photo. This is a telltale sign of a worn out or missing door sweep, which allows heat to escape. Most hardware stores or building supply centers carry replacement sweeps. Replacement requires removing the hinge pins and placing the door on its side while the sweep is installed or replaced. Ask for some help when removing and reinstalling the door.
Double-ganged light switch. Very much like the receptacle, note the heat loss and air infiltration. Simply remove the cover plate and install a double-ganged foam gasket. Then reattach the cover plate.
- Uninsulated knee-wall access door. Knee walls are shorter walls generally found upstairs in bonus rooms
that support roof rafters. The door allows the homeowner to gain access to the storage area between the living space and the attic. Note the entire wooden paneled door in the above photo is about 54 degrees. Knee-wall doors and all attic access points should be weather stripped and insulated. Do-it-yourself insulation materials and custom kits are available online or at building supply centers.
Please feel free to contact me at smartenergytips@aecc.com with any energy efficiency questions. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/smartenergytips.org as well as listen to our podcasts.
Bret Curry is the residential energy marketing manager for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation.