I thought it would be fun to go through some of the more piecemeal strategies for insulating and air-sealing homes this time around. You know, the Do-It-Yourself type strategies. The kind of upgrades that are even worthwhile for me, in my rental house. If I miss something you’ve done, especially if you’ve seen good results, I’d love to hear about it!
The To-Do List.
To begin with, I should let you know that my current rental was built back in the 1870s. I have no idea what kind of insulation, if any, is in the walls. Sticking my head up into the attic was one of the most frightening things I’ve ever done - the insulation was black and stringy, and the way it was hanging from the rafters made it look like snakes, or bats - and I could feel dust seeping into my lungs every second I tried to look around. There are a couple of rooms that never seem to get warmer than 55 in the winter, even when the thermostat is set to 67.
Basically, this house has more than its share of challenges… and we’re paying for heat. We haven’t taken a close enough look at how our heating bills compare to heating degree days (HDD), so I can’t tell you with any confidence that some particular combination of strategies saved me so much on my gas bills. I wish I could. I’m definitely more comfortable in my bedroom now, where the window over the bed has caulk around the edges and is covered in plastic. But hard evidence aside, if you’re interested in spending a little less on gas, or just feeling more comfortable in your home, these suggestions will help. Here’s a short list of DIY upgrades that should save you money on heating in the short run. We’ve got some great videos on the main page illustrating precisely how to install these upgrades the right way: www.GreenDreamGroup.com/resources/diyvideo
Some serious AC action
- take room A/C units out of the windows in winter - leaving them in is like leaving a window open all winter, which doesn’t make much sense. If your A/C is permanently installed, do your best to cover it up, inside and out, with plastic and/or insulating blankets, rigid foamboard, or anything to slow air escaping. This is a huge source of heat loss!
- weatherstrip around doors & locking windows; if there’s no lock, you won’t be able to keep the window pressed against the weatherstripping firmly enough to reap any benefits.
- caulk or sprayfoam around visible holes - door frames, windows, dryer vents, electrical or plumbing penetrations. (Finding these holes can be a fun activity to tackle with your kids.)
- cover the windows with plastic: most effective if you have single-paned windows, like I do. With double- or triple-paned windows, most of the leakage tends to occur around the edge of the framing, so plastic won’t be as effective.
- caulk behind baseboards - they’re often covering up the seams of a house, which is exactly where air tends to leak in.
- Finally, one thing NOT to do: if you have a gas oven with an exhaust fan over it, DO NOT stuff insulation into the fan and cover it with plastic! The reason the exhaust fan is there is because the fumes from your oven could be dangerous to have in your breathing space. Even having a carbon monoxide detector in the same room isn’t the same as standing over the oven for a couple of hours - the concentration of CO is much higher closer to the source. If you feel cold air coming in when the fan’s not in use, try checking the outside of the house - make sure the flap on the other end of the exhaust vent closes snugly, or install a new one.
Now that winter this year is almost over, it may not make sense to complete everything on that list. Some of the upgrades last a long time, and some need to be replaced every year, like window plastic. Use your best judgment, check our online videos for tips, and let us know any other ideas you’ve heard or are using. And have fun! 
