Walls of Structure Decreasing the Amount of Heat Exchange

Decreasing Power Bill How can we decrease our power bill? How can we decrease our power bill? What are things in our home now that keep our bill low? What are things in our home now that keep our bill low? What are some things we can do to our home to decrease this even further? What are some things we can do to our home to decrease this even further?

Wall Section What are house walls made of? What are house walls made of? If I were to cut a cross section of the wall, what would it look like? If I were to cut a cross section of the wall, what would it look like? What are different materials used to form our walls? What are different materials used to form our walls?

Picking the Material What do you want the appearance of the structure to be? What do you want the appearance of the structure to be? How efficient do you want the structure to be? How efficient do you want the structure to be? How much money do you have to spend? (Now and throughout the life of the building) How much money do you have to spend? (Now and throughout the life of the building)

R value Ranking given to all materials used in walls Ranking given to all materials used in walls A measure of a material’s resistance to heat flow A measure of a material’s resistance to heat flow Higher R value = better the qualityHigher R value = better the quality Better quality means less heat loseBetter quality means less heat lose

Determining R Value Every material has a set value Every material has a set value Value chartValue chart Look at everything included in the wall Look at everything included in the wall List them, find R values, add them togetherList them, find R values, add them together Determine final R valueDetermine final R valuefinal R valuefinal R value

Getting High R Value Pick insulation Pick insulation Largest factor in determining R valueLargest factor in determining R value Amount used can be affected by location, climate, and price (of insulation and utilities)Amount used can be affected by location, climate, and price (of insulation and utilities) Pick your exterior covering Pick your exterior covering Can also greatly affect R valueCan also greatly affect R value

Amount of Insulation to Use

Stopping Air Leaks Stopping Air Leaks is 1st step to making a building more energy efficient Stopping Air Leaks is 1st step to making a building more energy efficient Weatherizing a building is the process of stopping air leaks. Weatherizing a building is the process of stopping air leaks. This begins with checking doors, windows, and other possible leak locations This begins with checking doors, windows, and other possible leak locations

Doors and Windows A storm window or storm door is a frame with glass that provides an additional layer of protection against the cold with an air space between the original and the storm. A storm window or storm door is a frame with glass that provides an additional layer of protection against the cold with an air space between the original and the storm. If air in the cavity comes and goes it is a “live air space”. If air in the cavity comes and goes it is a “live air space”.

Doors and Windows Thermopane windows have two layers of glass with a sealed air space between the two.\ Thermopane windows have two layers of glass with a sealed air space between the two.\ The sealed air space, called dead air space, is much better at stopping cold from entering the building. The sealed air space, called dead air space, is much better at stopping cold from entering the building.

Doors and Windows Triple-glazed windows are windows that have three glass panes and two dead air spaces. Triple-glazed windows are windows that have three glass panes and two dead air spaces. These windows are very expensive, but effective. These windows are very expensive, but effective.

Doors and Windows An alternative to buying storm windows a sheet of plastic can be attached to the inside or outside of the window. An alternative to buying storm windows a sheet of plastic can be attached to the inside or outside of the window. This may not be attractive but it will pay for itself in energy savings. This may not be attractive but it will pay for itself in energy savings.

Caulking / Weatherstripping Cracks around windows and doors are to be filled with caulking, larger gaps to be packed with a putty knife then caulked Cracks around windows and doors are to be filled with caulking, larger gaps to be packed with a putty knife then caulked Tube caulking is flexible sealant that is normally applied by cutting the end off of the tube, inserting the tube into a caulking gun, and then squeezing the gun handle. Tube caulking is flexible sealant that is normally applied by cutting the end off of the tube, inserting the tube into a caulking gun, and then squeezing the gun handle.

Caulking / Weatherstripping It comes in a variety of colors and qualities. It comes in a variety of colors and qualities. Select caulking that has a long warranty and will be remain flexible rather than become brittle. Select caulking that has a long warranty and will be remain flexible rather than become brittle.

Caulking / Weatherstripping Glazing putty is the material that seals between the frame and the glass of a wooden window. Glazing putty is the material that seals between the frame and the glass of a wooden window. Weatherstripping tape is a clear tape like scotch tape that sticks to window frame surfaces. Weatherstripping tape is a clear tape like scotch tape that sticks to window frame surfaces. Rope caulk comes as a roll of caulking in a rope form. Rope caulk comes as a roll of caulking in a rope form.

Caulking / Weatherstripping The material used to plug these leaks in loose-fitting windows and doors is called weatherstripping. The material used to plug these leaks in loose-fitting windows and doors is called weatherstripping. The felt and rubber types are considered temporary, while metal/rubber combination types are more permanent. The felt and rubber types are considered temporary, while metal/rubber combination types are more permanent.

Caulking / Weatherstripping Foam tape with a sticky side can be easily installed and has become very popular. Foam tape with a sticky side can be easily installed and has become very popular. A door threshold is fastened to the floor under the bottom edge of a door to prevent air leaks. A door threshold is fastened to the floor under the bottom edge of a door to prevent air leaks. It may be wood or a combination of metal and rubber.It may be wood or a combination of metal and rubber.