Installing Plastic Window Insulation

Not all home improvement projects will break the bank. Insulation Denver CO home owners will tell you, is important to the comfort of your home. Window insulation is easy, very cheap and effective. Window insulation film is carried in most hardware stores and fits almost any window. This product is a heat-shrink film that is stretched over the interior side on a window frame to block drafts.

If you decide to insulate your windows using plastic film, you'll need to choose which window to use this method on carefully. The windows you seal using this method cannot be opened after the film is applied. If you only have one window in your kitchen, you should not insulate it with film in case it needs to be opened due to a small kitchen fire, or burnt food. Also, if you don't plan on removing the Denver insulation after winter, it is important to keep windows on opposite sides of your home uninsulated so that you can open them to enable a cross breeze during nice weather.

After deciding on which windows you'll insulate, you need to gather supplies. For this project you need a window film kit (or more if you wish to insulate multiple windows), tape measure, scissors and a blow dryer.

Step One: Prepare the Window
Clean the window frame with soapy water and then wipe it dry. Allow for additional drying time, if needed. After the window has dried enough, apply the adhesive tape included in the window insulation kit.

Insulating Tips for a Shed

ByDoItYourself Staff

Insulating a shed may seem silly at first but your shed has many uses and adding insulation can further increase its usefulness. In essence, the shed on your property is an extension of your home. For many people it is used as seasonal storage and for others it can become a home away from home. Sheds are often used as workshops from wood working to motorcycle maintenance. Some are being converted to small recreational spots where couches, chairs, televisions and small appliances are being placed and used. The following article will help provide you with some useful hints and tips on how you could insulate your shed.

Siding and Air

One type of insulation is commonly known as an air barrier. These are sheets of treated plastic commonly found on the outside of a new home. This does not mean you cannot use it on your shed. The air barrier material helps keep air outside where it belongs and this keeps the internal temperatures at bay. The air barrier is wrapped around the shed and tacked in place. On top of the air barrier you would then place some sort of siding. The kind you use on the shed is irrelevant and can be plastic, wood or aluminum. The combination of the two keeps drafts out of the shed to create a more stable internal climate.

Using the Pink Stuff

Fiberglass is the most commonly used insulation material you can find. You install it in the inside of the building between the studs. You then have to cover the fiberglass with more wall material. Fiberglass is a good vapor barrier and will protect against humidity which can cause your wood in the shed to warp and potentially rot.

Three DIY Improvements That Lower Hot Water Costs

Your parents were right, paying more than you need for hot water is the same as pouring money down the drain. Making some small improvements to your home can help you save money on your energy bill. Whether it's cleaning a dryer vent, or fixing a leaky faucet, small investments can make big changes to your energy bill.

Aerators
Installing a faucet aerator is sure to save you money. Aerators work by mixing air into the water stream. The result is a high pressure stream of water that uses less water than a solid stream. An added benefit to aerators is that the aerated stream does not splash. In normal household use aerators installed on you kitchen and bathroom faucets can save the BTUs needed to heat several hundred gallons of hot water a year.The best aerators are rated for a flow of 2.5 gallons per minute or less for kitchen faucets and 1 gallon per minuet for bathrooms. Aerators are made to fit faucets with spouts that are threaded either on the inside or outside. Some aerators are available with a swivel feature to direct the stream where you wish. When installing a new aerator place the washer (this should be provided with your aerator) on the aerator and screw it on by hand.

Replacing Old Shower Heads

When you replace an old shower head with a newer low-flow head you can save an enormous amount on your hot water costs. The new shower head should be rated no higher than 2.5 gallons per minute. To install the new shower head, tape the jaws of a pipe wrench to avoid scratching the finish. Use the tapped wrench to keep the shower arm from turning while you unscrew the old shower head using an adjustable wrench or a second taped pipe wrench. The new show head will screw directly onto the shower arm unless it has a pivoting ball joint at the end. If your new shower head has a ball joint, you'll need a

5 Tips on How to Save Home Energy

By Orlando Racelis

In today's economy, every little thing you do that will lead to trimming off your expenses will go a long way. Check out the following 5 tips on how to save home energy to get you started on saving some money by cutting down on your bills. At the same time, you will also be doing your part in taking care of and preserving the environment.

1. Maintain your furnace properly. Keep it well lubricated, clean, and correctly adjusted. A well-maintained furnace will function much more efficiently and use lesser energy. This will significantly decrease the cost of operating it. Also, check your filter. You should clean it at least once every two months. If it is too dirty to clean, consider replacing it with a new one.

2. Get a programmable thermostat for your home. A programmable thermostat is very useful in helping you save home energy. You can save 2% of your home heating needs for each degree that you turn down your thermostat. With the use of a programmable thermostat, you can automatically lower your thermostat setting even when you are asleep at night or when there is nobody home.

3. Make the most out of your appliances. This goes especially for your washing machine and your dishwasher. As much as possible, always use these appliances with a full load. If you are looking for a new washing machine, choose a front loading model. This type of washing machine is much more efficient than other models. It actually decreases your laundry water consumption by up to 40% while decreasing your electricity consumption by up to 50%. Some dishwasher models on the other hand have an "energy saver" mode for air drying your items. If your dishwasher has this setting, use it.

Attic Insulation Mistakes to Avoid

Adding insulation to your home can save you a significant amount of money; however, if the project isn't done correctly, you may end up wasting a whole lot of time. Understanding the installation process and what to avoid, you'll be one step ahead when you begin your project.

Prepare for your project by making sure you have the correct tools for the job. Make sure that you have a ladder of the correct height, sufficient lighting, and a clear workplace. Don't rely on your extraordinary balance skills, lay boards across joists so you can have a stable, safe place to work.

Choose the correct type of attic insulation Denver requires for your project. There are several forms of insulation you can choose from and picking the correct form is vital to the efficiency of your project. Depending on the design and use of your attic space, loose fill may or may not be the best option. Don't choose loose fill insulation if you have a attic fan. Without proper containment the insulation will spread unevenly and will loose its effectiveness.

Measure once and then measure again. Even Denver insulation companies don't estimate when they look at a workspace. Guessing how much insulation you need to complete a project is a common shortcut that will often leave you with a lack of material costing you time and money. Use a tape measure to get the correct dimensions of your attic and purchase the correct amount of insulation.

Insulating An Unfinished Attic

 Insulating a home's attic is one of the most important insulation projects you can do for your home. Once you have determined you're region's R-value requirements, measure your existing insulation (if present) and subtract that from the required amount. You can add new insulation to your existing insulation and do not need to match insulation types to do so.

To begin your insulation project, first set up a safe working area across the joists. Never step between the joists, or you risk falling through. Measure the thickness of the existing insulation at various places throughout the attic and average those numbers. Multiply the average by the R-value per inch of insulation.

Batt and Blanket Insulation

When installing insulation on a uninsulated attic, make sure to use an insulation with a vapor-retardant face. Place the facing down (toward the ceiling). In humid climates or in attics that have been previously insulated use unfaced fiberglass. Denver insulation companies suggest using the insulation with a vapor-retardant face. When laying batt or blanket insulation, start at the perimeter and work toward the attic door. Place the insulation between joists and cut the length. Cut the insulation by placing the batt on a piece of plywood and laying a straight edge across it to serve as a guide. Push the insulation down and slice through the batt with multiple strokes of a sharp knife using the straight edge as a guide. For higher R-values you can lay the insulation across the joints.