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Weatherization | modify
Weatherization (or an Energy Tune-Up) is the practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements particularly from sunlight, precipitation, and wind in addition to modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency. The building owner may perform the improvements recommended in the energy audit or have M2M Energy conduct these improvements.
Typical weatherization procedures include:
•Installing insulation in walls, floors and ceilings, around ducts and pipes, around water heaters, and near the foundation and sill. Spray Foam insulation is gaining popularity as it efficiently provides high level of R-Value over fiberglass insulation, adds structural strength, keeps dust/pollen/bugs out, stops air and moisture infiltration - all while saving as much as 30% on your energy bills while increasing your comfort and safety level. [More Details]
•Sealing bypasses (cracks, gaps, holes), especially around doors, windows, pipes and wiring that penetrate the ceiling and floor, and other areas with high potential for heat loss, using caulk, foam sealant, weather-stripping, window film, door sweeps, electrical receptacle gaskets, and so on to reduce infiltration. Spray Foam insluation is another ideal solution for these issues.
•Sealing recessed lighting fixtures ('can lights' or 'high-hats'), which leak large amounts of air into unconditioned attic space.
•Sealing air ducts, which can account for 20% of heat loss, using fiber-reinforced mastic (not duck/duct tape, which is not suitable for this purpose)
•Installing/replacing damperes in exhaust ducts, to prevent outside air from entering the house when the exhaust fan or clothes dryer is not in use.
•Protecting pipes from corrosion and freezing.
•Installing footing drains, foundation waterproofing membranes, interior perimeter drains, sump pump, gutters, downspout extensions, downward-sloping grading, French drains, swales, and other techniques to protect a building from both surface water and ground water.
•Providing proper ventilation to unconditioned spaces to protect a building from the effects of condensation.
•Installing roofing, building wrap, siding, flashing, skylights or solar tubes and making sure they are in good condition on an existing building.
•Installing storm doors and storm windows.
•Replacing old drafty doors with tightly sealing, foam-core doors.
•Replacing older windows with low-energy, double-glazed windows.
The phrase "whole-building approach" extends the traditional definition of weatherization to include installation of modern, energy-saving heating and cooling equipment, or repair of old, inefficient equipment (furnaces, boilers, water heaters, programmable thermostats, air conditioners, and so on). The "whole-building approach” also looks at how the house performs as a system.
The results of a weatherization treatment to a building not only provides an increase in comfort, safety and durability but can also offer a sizable 15%-25% savings on your energy bills. This is where the green benefits begin to reveal itself and lead you on your green endeavor to energy efficiency and sustainability.
