Priorities for Energy Efficiency

Comprehensive evaluations of government and utility energy-conservation programs have yielded surprising results. Some of the most important findings are listed below:

* Storm doors, storm windows and window replacements are frequently not highly cost-effective because they are usually expensive. A very low savings on investment ratio.

* Thermal resistance of insulation is reduced by air flowing through and around the insulation. This is why air sealing is so important and MUST be done prior to insulating.

* Densely packed, blown insulation can reduce air leakage when installed in building cavities.

* Leaky ducts can be a major source of energy waste, both by leaking conditioned air and by creating pressures that increase air leakage through the building shell.

* The causes of winter heat loss and summer heat gain are fundamentally different and require different retrofit strategies.

The order of energy savings for cost effectiveness is:
1) Attic ceilings
2) Sidewalls
3) Furnace
4) Windows
5) Appliances

My recommendation is to walk prior to running, and address each unit and evaluate the savings and comfort prior to moving to the next unit.

Next Topic: Defining the Thermal Boundary