Comments on: 10 Uncommon Tips for Winterizing Your Home

By: David Eakin

David Eakin — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 22:58:34 +0000

@ John – Yes, typo. I meant
@ John – Yes, typo. I meant fireplace flue, but I also wanted to continue that I have a gas log insert that has a pilot light so I have not purchased a flue balloon yet. I have widely recommended them to a variety of clients who do not use their fireplaces.

I also agree with you on taking opportunities to improve the shell and ventilation with “no-brainer” or “target of opportunity” mods (e.g., range hood venting to the outside if you have a gas stove/cooktop, use low-pressure foam-in-a-can to fill the space between the rough opening and window frame if replacing your windows, same for exterior doors like if you are replacing an old wood door into a garage, foaming the space under the exterior-wall trim if replacing wall-to-wall carpet, etc.). Most homeowners will not spring for all the work needed to get below ACH 35 anyhow (unless this is part of complete gut/rehab) so these tips can be installed w/o much more analysis than a visual inspection.

By: John Proctor

John Proctor — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 21:07:50 +0000

Nice post Allison. First to
Nice post Allison. First to David E. Please note that Allison was talking about the balloon for the fireplace chimney, not the furnace flue -- I presume this was just a typo. Second it is worthwhile to notice that these tips are valid without doing a simulation model of the house. I contend if we took all the money wasted on simulations and put it into implementing the practical steps that can be on a simple checklist, we would be way ahead on saving energy in the US than we are.

By: David Eakin

David Eakin — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 06:14:43 +0000

I already knew about the
I already knew about the furnace flue balloon (it works the same in flues with a metal damper too as this damper system also needs a better seal). My biggest problem area is also a bottom area. Decades ago I enclosed a rear porch and constructed a laundry and powder room. But I just put fiberglass insulation under the floor covered with sheet plastic (it is 4' above the ground). Have had several rounds of frozen pipes and a couple mouse incidents so this year I stripped off the plastic sheeting and am installing 2" polyiso foam boards sealed at seams and perimeter after installing 2" polyiso against the inside of the rim joists. Hopefully this will provide a much better air seal and give me less thermal bridging as well as adding an additional R-12 to the fiberglass.

By: Tapani Talo

Tapani Talo — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 06:05:47 +0000

In 40 years the idea of
In 40 years the idea of insulating on the flat in USA is still an issue. Stone age thinking. And insulating twice the code is the minimum, as it is dirt cheap, and has 225 financial payoff and 2000% comfort payoff.

By: Sean K

Sean K — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 23:38:01 +0000

Great article Allison.
Great article Allison. Lindows’s are very expensive (for me). I’ve found that 3M Window Insulator kits work well. I tried an outside kit, but it did not make ANY difference for temperature or condensation. The indoor kit works perfectly for me. I don’t have window casings, so I can apply the kit directly to the drywall and get an air tight seal. Absolutely no condensation. The key is an air tight seal. It makes a huge difference in comfort.
There are several YouTube videos of people who create simple wood frames and use the plastic film to create interior storm windows. Just search for “interior storm windows”.