September Energy Tips

Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audit

An entire summer of solid 90-plus temperatures combined with high humidity has pushed air conditioners to the limit -- right along with electric bills. High heat and humidity equal extreme kilowatt-hour use. A new Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audit brochure is available from Wiregrass Electric Cooperative that can help identify ways to save on your electric bill. You can pick one up from any Wiregrass Electric office. Plus -- we'll review a section of the brochure each month on our Energy Tips page:

Infiltration Control to Prevent Air Penetration

Uncontrolled air leakage (infiltration) is one of the largest and most preventable energy wastes in the home. The potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5 to 30 percent per year.

Make a list of obvious air leaks.

• First, check areas such as gaps along the baseboard or edge of the flooring and at junctures of the walls and ceiling.
• Then, check electrical outlets, wall-switch plates, window frames, weather stripping around doors, fireplace dampers, attic hatches, and wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.
• Also, look for gaps around pipes and wires, foundation seals and mail slots.
• Lastly, check to see if caulking and weather stripping are applied properly, leaving no gaps or cracks, and are in good condition.

Does your home allow air to flow around any of the above-mentioned areas?

If so, use one or more of the three following products to prevent air leakage around any problem areas:

• Caulking
• Expanding foam -- and/or
• Weather stripping

For most indoor applications, a good quality latex caulk is satisfactory; and for exterior applications, a silicone or polyurethane caulk will perform better.