Doors and windows are two of the most obvious areas of concern when it comes to home energy conservation. Once air leaks have been detected using either a professional or an informal home energy audit, doors and windows are typically among the first areas that need attention. Following are some methods and solutions commonly used for sealing doors and windows. Weatherstripping a Door Using Self-Stick Foam Materials: Self-stick foam
Tape measure
Scissors Steps: - Measure the sides and top of the door frame.
- Transfer the measurements to the foam and cut the strip to length with scissors.
- Remove the tape backing and apply the foam to the inside face of the door jamb (figure A).
Weatherstripping a Door Using Bronze Weatherstrip Materials: Bronze spring weatherstripping
Hammer and nails
Metal-snips
Tape measure
(figure B) Steps: - Measure the sides and top of the door frame.
- Transfer the measurements to the spring bronze strip using a marker and cut the strip to length with metal-snips (figure C).
- Nail the metal strips along the door stops at the point where the door contacts the stop when closed (figure D). Make certain that the strip is butted against the doorstop, and space the nails 8" to 10" apart. Once the entire strip has been installed, bend the outside half of the strip over to form the seal (figure E).
Installing a Door Threshold with Vinyl Bulb Materials: Cordless drill or screwdriver
Door-threshold kit
Hacksaw or wood saw
Tape measure
Caulk
Caulk gun
Pry bar Steps: - Remove the existing door threshold (figure F). To do this, cut the old threshold in two with a hacksaw, then dislodge it with a pry bar. Once it is removed, clean the area thoroughly.
- Carefully measure the opening for the new threshold, and cut to fit. Next, lay a bead of caulk along what will be the back edge of the threshold. Then position the new threshold (figure G).
- Make certain the angle is sloping slightly away from your home to avoid water buildup(figure H).
- Attach the bulb portion of the base to the threshold using the screws.
- Close the door.
- Slide the threshold forward to get a tight seal against the bottom of the door (figure I).
- Fasten the threshold in place.
Installing a New Door Sweep Materials: Cordless drill
Screwdriver
Door-sweep kit Steps: - Mark and predrill your holes to receive the screws for the door sweep (figure J).
- Attach the sweep to the door so that the bottom of the sweep seals snugly to the door's threshold (figure K).
Tips: - Some sweeps are installed on the inside and others on the outside of the door. Check the instructions for your particular type.
- Sweeps are useful for flat thresholds but may drag on carpet or on rugs.
Sealing a Window with Self-Stick Foam Materials: Self-stick foam
Scissors Steps: - Locate areas on your window where there is no friction. For double-hung windows, this applies to the top and bottom rails. With casements (crank-out windows), the side panels work best.
- Clean these areas with a damp cloth to ensure a good application.
- Measure the areas and cut the foam tape to fit.
- Apply the self-stick foam (figure L).
Similar to self-stick foam, rope caulk (figure M) is a useful means of winterizing a window. It can be applied all the way around the perimeter of the window sash, where the window meets the frame. It does a great job of sealing the window during winter months. Remember that once the rope caulk is installed, the window will need to remain closed until the caulk is removed the following spring. Installing a Plastic Window Insulator Kit Materials: Plastic window insulator kit
Hair dryer or heat gun
Damp cloth
Scissors Steps: - Thoroughly clean the molding area with a damp cloth, removing any dirt.
- Follow up in the same area with the alcohol swab, generally provided with the window insulator kit. The goal here is to make the area as clean as possible.
- Apply the tape firmly to the surface around the window (figure N and figure O).
- Unfold the film and cut it to the length of the window (figure P), allowing for a few extra inches on both sides.
- Remove the paper liner on the adhesive (figure Q).
- Starting from the top, unfold the film and attach it to the tape (figure R ), making minor adjustments as necessary.
- To remove the remaining wrinkles, use a heat gun or hair dryer directly on the plastic film (figure S). The heat will effectively shrink the plastic.
RESOURCES :
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ISBN: 0376012048
(January, 2002)
Sunset Publishing Company (Division of Time Warner)
Website: www.sunset.com
Retrofitting for Energy Conservation
Model: 0070119201
Author: William H. Clark
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Energy-Efficient Building: The Best of Fine Homebuilding
ISBN: 1561583405
From The Best of Fine Homebuilding book series.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Save Energy, Save Money
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Authors: Alvin Ubell, George Merlis
Macmillan / Alpha Books
Website: www.macmillan.com
Achieving Energy Independence -- One Step at a Time
Model: 0966933605
Author: Jeffrey R. Yago
Dunimis Technology
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
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Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller
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Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Small and Micro Wind Systems
Model: 1890132071
Author: Paul Gipe, Karen Perez
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Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Wind Power for Home & Business: Renewable Energy for the 1990s and Beyond
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Author: Paul Gipe
(Real Goods Independent Living Book)
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
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