THE GREAT ESCAPE

 

Every utinter, the energy equivalent of all the oil that flows through the Alaskan pipeline in a year leaks through American windows

 

BACKGROUND

 

Since the energy crisis of the70s, experts have been telling us regularly that insulating is one of the best ways to save energy. We don't want to bore you by say, ing it one more time, but frankly, you can't take energy conservation seriously without making sure your home is properly insulated. It isn't always simple it can take both time and money. But the savings in energy and cash will make it worthwhile.

 

INSULATION FACTS

 

If every gas,heated home was property caulked and weather. stripped, the natural gas saved annually would be enough to heat about 4 million homes.

 

Nearly half of all the energy used in our homes is wasted. It goes "out the window," or through the attic, cracks or other leaks, in the form of heator, in summer, air conditioninglost to the outside.

 

Attic insulation can save 5% or more on heating costs‑‑‑15% on air conditioning costs (it depends on the climate). * In some climates, new insulation can pay for itself in a single sea­ son! In most climates, it takes only one or two years.  SIMPLE THINGS TO DO Insulate:

 

If there's no insulation in your home, you're costing yourself and the environment a fortune. If you do have insulation, check to see if you have enough. Even addon insulation pays itself back in about 2 years.

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, D.C. has a publication on insulation called "In the Bank Or Up the Chimney."  Have an "energy audit" to find the heat leaks in four house or apartment:

 

This can range from simply going around the window frames and  sashes of your house with a lighted candle (if the flame flickers, you need caulking and weatherstripping) to calling your local utility or an energy conservation contractor (see "Energy" in the yellow pages) and having the energy audit done professionally. 

 

Many utilities will do this at no charge. Or, if you're going to do it yourself, they'll often provide guidebooks or checklists to help.

 

If You're Doing Your Own Energy Audit:

 

Worldwatch magazine suggests: "Pick ... a cold, windy day, when secret drafts and leaks reveal themselves readily to the flame of a handheld candle. An inspection should include more than just outer walls, since chances are the innards of your house are like Swiss cheese."

 

Be sure to check everywhere for energy leaksfireplace dampers, cracks or holes in walls and ceilings, sites where plumbing or wiring penetrate walls, floors and ceilings, attic doors, etc.

 

Windows also deserve special attention. Options range from hightech windows, to simple caulking.

 

Check Out Blower Doors: A recent experiment by a New England electric utility, reported in Home Energy magazine, revealed that contractors using a device called a "blower door" were able to reduce leaks 7 to 8 times as well as residents who tried to find the leaks themselves. So it may be worth it to find a contractor who uses one in his energy audits.

 

RESULTS According to Worldwatch Institute, an average furnace uses the energy equivalent of 500 gallons of oil in a year. If, by insulating, you save a mere 5% of the energy used to heat your home (a reasonable amount), you'll save the equivalent of 25 gallons a year; 10,000 conservationminded families will save,250,000 gallons'worth; 100,000 families will save 2.5 million gallons ... and so on.

 

SOURCE 9 Educational Resources, Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA 01773. Write for info on how to order their booklets, "How to Weatherize Your Home or Apartutent, " "All About Insulation, " and "Superinsulation."