Some Perks Of Do It Your Self Sash Window Draught Proofing
August 31, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Do it your self sash window draught proofing is a very cost effective means to make improvements on your home. A large amount of energy can be lost through draughts which are not maintained. This causes elevated energy costs.
There may be different reasons for create a more energy efficient home. Some homeowners are just looking to preserve costs in a simple manner while keeping their excising units. Others may be looking to create more efficiency for resale value of a dwelling. The latter may choose to make the larger investment of double glazing or replacement windows. Those options are very expensive and unnecessary when the aim is to just save energy.
When considering that 1/5 of heat in a home is lost through means of ventilation and draughts, is does not take too much thought of finding ways to save on energy costs. With prices for heating continually rising, the amount of savings through the cold months could be considerably high. Luckily, there are very reasonable products available for a homeowner to self install.
Many may not be aware of this, but the type of drapery chosen has a huge affect upon conserving energy. Making selections of a heavier material that is thick in texture naturally saves many draughts from entering the living space. This is a great way of adding style to a room along with helping to conserve on heating through cold winter evenings. There will need to be another alternative though, for daylight hours when drapes are open for lighting a home.
A great way to create more efficiency is to apply a rubber adhesive stripping along the window, in each area where the window meets the sash and frame. This method is very effective and can last for a couple of months on average. The strips will need to be replaced when a breeze is noticed to be leaking though. Even with needing to replace the strips, this is a very cost effective way to save on heating. The stripping itself is very reasonable and easy to apply. All that needs to be done is to measure each area and cut the material to fit. Once in place, just run fingers along the area to ensure proper adhesion.
Clear plastic sheeting is another reasonable DIY method of reducing heat loss. These sheets come in a pack to fit a couple of windows depending upon their size. The simple way to install them is to measure each window and cut the sheeting to fit. Once this is done, apply the double sided adhesive tape to the outside frame of the window and gently place sheeting over it. Running fingers along the adhesive path all the way around to ensure it is secure. This method can last throughout a whole winter and changed annually. The sheeting is clear, so if it is cut will care, it may not be so noticeable. The only dray back is that moisture may build inside and take away from visibility. When removed, it can be recycled to be more environmentally friendly. Slowly removing the coating will ensure that paint from the frame is preserved.
Do it your self sash window draught proofing is a great option when conserving costs is the ultimate goal. It will save a great amount of otherwise wasted energy and add those savings to the homeowner.
Get the best sash window company by searching online. There you will find the best sash window draught proofing choice for you to use. Head online and learn more now.
Save On Energy Expenses By Draught Proofing Your Sash Windows
August 31, 2010 | Leave a Comment
You should not underestimate how much you can reduce your energy costs by draught proofing your sash windows. A third or more of most home heat is lost as a result of preventable drafts and leaks. Among the biggest culprits are sash windows. Here are a few things to consider when trying to address this issue of home heat loss through drafty windows.
Sash windows often cause a lion’s share of a home’s heat loss, in part because they are often older than other windows and thus less technologically advanced in design. There are several strategies you can try to abate or eliminate drafts and heat loss around sash windows, and they each have their own pluses and minuses.
A quick way to reduce drafts around windows is to hang blinds, curtains, shades, or other window coverings over the offending windows. Window coverings help reduce heat loss, but they are not as effective as other more substantial approaches. Meanwhile, drapes and curtains need to be cleaned, repaired, and eventually replaced, all of which adds costs that offset whatever energy cost savings they may affect.
Another approach is to completely replace the window units. Replace your old leaky units with new, double-glazed, energy graded windows. This is not an inexpensive alternative. Also, you my have difficulty matching the new windows to the design of your home without the added expense of customized window units.
Another effective and lasting solution is to have a new glazing applied to your old windows. This approach can modernize the window panes without compromising the original frame and sash design. Re-glazing, along with the removal and overhaul of the window units, including upgrading the worn parts and fixtures, offers the most complete defense against heat loss through the windows.
Upgrading your sash windows may be expensive, but the long term savings in energy costs will far outweigh the one-time repair and upgrade costs. Additionally, resealing the windows will reduce external noise. The upgrade will also add years to the life of your entire window unit through the repair and replacement of worn parts.
There are many ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency, and you should explore them all. But perhaps the most effective way to prevent heat loss is to tackle the drafts and leaks around your window. The up-front cost might seem like a lot, but in the end, you will find that the savings will far outpace the costs when you reduce your energy costs by draught proofing your sash windows.
Get the best sash window insulation company to use by looking online. There you can find secondary glazing London and other areas to consider using. Head online today and learn more.
Inexpensive Do It Your Self Sash Window Draught Proofing
August 31, 2010 | Leave a Comment
There are a number of ideas for do it your self sash window draught proofing. Many are inexpensive and results may be seen within the first few weeks after making the improvements. Utility bills will go down and there will be no more breezy windows in the home. Most utility bills are reduced drastically by this type of repair.
Windows of this type originally had wood strips that separated the panes of glass with putty that created a seal for the window. They were comprised of a wood frame and at least two sheets of glass called window lites. The putty was used to prevent the windows from leaking. Many times this putty becomes old and begins to break away leaving gaps in the seal.
In order to reseal the putty that has become old and broken in older windows, you will need to remove the old putty first. This is done by using a putty knife and gently scraping the old off. Adding the new putty will create a seal between the glass and wood preventing drafts.
Sometimes it may not be the panes of glass that are causing the problem but the framing itself. When wood gets cold it sometimes swells. Once the temperatures rise it retracts sometimes leaving gaps between the frame and the track.
Removing the trim from the wall on the inside will expose the bare window and the track it rides on. Brush seals can be purchased from a local hardware store or building and home supply retailer. These may then be used to attach to both the top and bottom of the window to create a barrier between the trim and wood frame.
While the trim is off, it is easy to create a new seal between it and the wall to help prevent it from leaking as well. There are multiple types of caulking that is available for home maintenance. A weatherizing or seal caulking should be placed on the back of each piece of trim before it is nailed back in place. If the trim has severe damage, replacing it is recommended.
In the event windows are still not energy efficient, a plastic shrink cover can be purchased to place over the windows. These come complete with the plastic, strips of thin cardboard and tacks to attach it to the trim. Once the plastic is securely in place, use a hair dryer to add heat and allow the plastic to shrink to the size needed for each window. There are several tips to do it your self sash window draught proofing that are very effective in reducing heating costs.
Does your windows have the right insulation? Well, if there not, you can get with the sash window company. You will see that the sash window draught proofing can really help keep the windows insulated and ready for any winter.
Installing Do It Your Self Sash Window Draught Proofing Is Surprisingly Simple
August 29, 2010 | Leave a Comment
One of the smartest things the owner of an older home can do to improve his or her living environment is to draught proof the windows. It’s relatively inexpensive to do and the advantages are numerous. The energy efficiency of the house will be immediately improved, but this is only one of the benefits you stand to gain. Do it your self sash window draught proofing is not only reasonably priced but also fairly simple to install.
While older sash windows certainly have character, they also have several inherent flaws. Fortunately, these problems can be remedied, and it’s especially easy with today’s more efficient materials and methods. DIY kits are widely available for those who are reasonably handy with this type of thing. Even hiring a handyman to do the job for you is fairly inexpensive and you can rest assured that every bit of money spent will return to you in the way of energy savings.
It’s not uncommon for heating costs to be reduced by nearly one half after older sash windows are properly sealed against draughts. And, in the process, your home will also become more comfortable, staying warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Outside noise levels will be reduced and you’ll even experience less dust and dirt entering your living space. It’s a small fix that returns a great number of benefits.
Increasing your home’s energy efficiency is, of course, an environmentally friendly gesture. But while you’re helping the planet you’ll be helping your budget too. The cost of repairing your windows to be more efficient is a net zero after figuring the amount of savings on energy costs alone.
A simple draught proofing job may include application of weather stripping around the frames and replacing old, worn out glazing on the glass. You might also consider adding secondary glazing, which is basically installing a second set of windows atop the existing ones. If you’re contemplating replacing your home’s current windows with new modern units the best advice is to refurbish if possible and to replace only as a last resort.
In conservation areas, or if your home is listed, window replacement may not be an option. Some regulations will not allow the replacement of older, ‘historically accurate’ windows with modern alternatives. In this instance, proper maintenance and sealing of existing units is especially important.
Choosing do it your self sash window draught proofing is a good idea if you’re handy with this kind of thing. You can always hire a handyman to do the job and the cost should still be reasonable. And remember, you’ll be getting all that money back in the form of savings.
Making use of a sash window draught proofing process can be completed as a do-it-yourself project, or by using a sash window company. Stopping those air leaks will reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home.
Global Warming? Easy Tips for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
May 15, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Global warming is a prevalent issue in the world right now, not only because of its impact, but because the viewpoints on the issue are so varied from one individual to the next. Some people believe that this is an important issue that needs resolution, while others feel that the earth is experiencing natural climate cycles. I know where my personal stance is, but also firmly believe that regardless of our opinion on the issue, there are things that we can do to reduce our energy expenditures and make the world a greener place.
I think the focus on cleaning things up is a good, a positive. You could drive yourself crazy trying to have zero carbon footprint but there are some things we can do that are simple - and free of cost!
Much of our daily life is surrounded by technological advances that make aspects of life easier. Think about the napkin. A simple, mass produced paper product single-handedly made take-away food much, much easier. But now we realize how much wood is required to make our throw away face wiping products. At our home, we have gone back to tea towels. We throw them in with laundry the we would be doing anyway and we’re reusing towel. As a special bonus, cloth is so much nicer on my baby fresh face!
Buy and consume more local foods, of the natural and/or organic variety. I have seen some people recoil at this idea, who think that organic food is reserved for dreadlocked hippies with names like Sunflower and River Raven who walk around barefoot and boycott both razors and bathing. But here is the good news for anyone who may question this “local food” movement: Research has shown that natural and organic foods are better both for the environment and for your personal health. So even if you couldn’t care less about global warming, make the switch for selfish reasons. You will be supporting your local businesses, and enjoying this newfound concept called FLAVOR. So whether you are a leaf-eating vegetarian or a sworn carnivore, you will enjoy both the taste and the health benefits of natural and organic foods.
Ditch the plastic water bottles. I know - they’re SO convenient. But there are new studies on the adverse effects of BPAs (bad chemicals that leach out emitted from certain plastics). Nalgene is now making BPA free bottles. There are also metal bottles, often completely recyclable. Glass bottles are making a surge, too. You can check out at LoveBottleDOTnet. If you get a decent filtration system at home, Brita and PUR are two that are out there. You can use tap water with an added filter. In fact, new studies claim that tap water is often better for you than bottled water because municipal water districts are governed by the EPA ( and have to test many times daily) while water bottle companies are governed by the FDA ( and are only required to test once a week). So, the long and the short of it is that tap water is better! Crazy.
Try to reduce or recycle your packaging in any way that you can. While I love liquid laundry detergent, I am switching to powdered so that I can recycle the cardboard box (and my tea towels are just as clean!) Easy, right? If I am going to the store and only purchasing one or two items, you probably won’t see my walk out with a bag. Do I really need extra packaging for the half-gallon of milk I just bought? I’ll also skip the bag when it comes to certain produce items, like potatoes and cucumbers.
Sometimes we need to find a little motivation and for this particular tip, my wallet is my motivation. I switched all the light bulbs in the house to the little twisting CFLs, as they burn far cooler than traditional bulbs. For 60 watts of light, I was using 13-watt bulbs! Another great way to save electricity (great financial motivation for me!) is to plug your televisions, dvd players and lights into power strips. Most appliances, including your cell phone charger, will draw power even when they are “not” in use. This is supposed to make them start faster. Well, I did install the strips, and I cut my bill in 1/2!!
Another simple and quick daily tip is to get a Facebook account (for FREE) and install the “lil Green Patch” application. You get an online garden, pick as many friends as the program allows and send them an online plant for their online garden. For every ten friends you send a cute little flower to, you save one square foot of rain forest (the real kind, not the virtual kind). It’s easy, and the plants are cute!
And for you car aficionados out there, you will be pleased to learn that, according to the ACEEE, the greenest car in the United States, for the 6th straight year in a row, is the Honda Civic.
If you are a Hollywood fan, you might want to check out Green is Sexy DOT org, for advice on green living. Take a look, and learn which celebrity created this site!
Sometimes doing good for goodness sake is rewarding. I hope the tips and ideas here are easy and worthy of your consideration.
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Do You Know Your Carbon Footprint?
November 24, 2009 | Leave a Comment
The amount of carbon dioxide that each person produces year is mind blowing; just in the USA 15,000 pounds yearly is the average. This includes the carbon dioxide generated as the services or products we buy are made, the fuel use in work and play, the energy volume it takes in the homes. This number can be reduced and even done aways with through having a more carbon neutral lifestyle. Lessening the carbon footprint puts Texas closer to using clean energy resources.
Texans can start reducing their carbon footprint by becoming more energy efficient. This requires individuals to use less energy while maintaining their current life style. This can be done by:
Switch to appliances and light bulbs that use energy at a more efficient rate. These kinds of light bulbs have been known to save more than 100 pounds of the carbon dioxide in just one year.
Lowering how much hot water is being used. People can change to shower heads that are the low flow variety, more energy efficient hot water heaters, and start washing clothes in just cold water. This can lead to lowering the carbon dioxide by more than 300 pounds.
Recycling saves about 2,500 pounds of the carbon dioxide. If the type of program is done, then start one.
Planting trees can reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by about one ton for each tree planted. The trees not only absorb carbon dioxide, they provide wind breaks to keep buildings warm in the winter and shade to keep them cooler in the hotter months.
To move closer to the expectations of Texas using clean energy resources, change over to the more renewable resources of wind and solar. Texas and oil have almost always been thought of together, but that is changing, with the fossil fuels disappearing, and the oil production is basically down 73% from where it was in’72, to search out the newer energy resources. Texas has the cleaner and renewable energy resources that are enough to compensate for the loss of the fossil fuels. The future of the Texas clean energy is in areas of biomass, wind, solar power, and geothermal.
Wind power is considered sustainable and cost effective and is perfect as a clean Texas energy source. Texas has the potential to produce enough energy from wind to be self reliant. Calculations also show an overflow of wind power, this excess can be sold within the region.
The location Texas is in works great for generating solar power. This state has the type of sunny day that are beneficial to capture the power of the sun. Solar energy does need some up front investment, which winds up be well worth it due to the rewards in the end.
Texas, due to the falling fossil fuel reserves, has numerous wells that are no longer in use at all. These wells could be reworked to produce the geothermal type of energy. This is a good method for Texas to use cleaner energy resources.
Waste given off from landfills and agricultural processes can be converted into biomass energy. Numerous vehicles in various of the Texas cities and towns are powered by biodiesel in the fight to reduce the city’s or town’s carbon footprint.
Buying types of green power through city, government, or individual level will encourage the utilization of cleaner Texas energy forms. Texans can help this endeavor through building their own smaller units good for their homes or businesses. For solar and wind power projects the materials can be bought without much expense. Investments can be made by people to the companies the research, sell, and manufacture materials pertinent to cleaner energy.
About the author: J. Dyess specializes in the Commercial Energy segment. He has published many articles on Texas Electric prices.