Peak oil? Expensive electricity? Anyone else insulating the heck out of their house?

[seraphima]

We have spent several weeks so far this summer doing all sorts of insulating jobs here. Everything from foam inserts over wall plugs and switches to removing a skylight when the new roof went on. We have built interior storms for two other skylights (out of plexiglass), filled a no-longer used chimney with insulation, replaced three windows, took out a slider and tyveked and put in a triple pane window, etc. etc. etc.

New curtain rods are on the way and I have been sewing insulated curtains for all the metal frame windows....

If energy prices keep going up, or oil becomes scarce due to whatever war, disaster or problem comes down the pike -and SOMETHING- is going to happen, at least we will be a whole lot warmer. Yes, we can heat entirely with wood, but who wants to spend all their time hauling/chopping/stacking wood?!

Anyone else doing this kind of thing?

 

[jazzy]

we just rent, but we still did the insulating thing...and bought the heavy duty insulating curtains---they are incredible and come in some very nice colors and patters. to me, they were one of the best items we invested in. keeps the place cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter--no drafts.


jazzy

 

[Slydersan]

Insulated the heck out of my crawlspaces on my (tiny) second story this spring. The recommended was something like R-36 or so, but I put in R-49. I have to now do the walls and ceiling up there becuase the current insulation is OLD and just falling apart. But that has to wait until the fall, when it cools off.

I plan on putting in the foam gaskets on the outlets all through the house and insulating the outside facing joints on the basement walls.

Where did you find insulating curtains? That sounds like something I need to add to the list. Im a single guy, so sewing them would be out of the question!

 

[Jackpine Savage]

Yep, major remodeling and insulating going on here. We purchased a new farm with a house that was halfway through a remodeling project. So far we have put an entirely new basement under the old section of the house using ICF. We have two rooms to gut and re-insulate in the upstairs. Then new siding and windows. I am going to add 1" foam board under the siding.

I found an excellent book on insulating from Taunton press that has been very helpful:

http://www.taunton.com/store/pages/070649_tcpg.asp

Also this site has the latest recommendations on insulation, vapor barriers, etc, etc for different climates: http://www.buildingscience.com

 

[Bird Guano]

Just watch your air quality as you seal things up tight.

Best to look into heat exchangers where you can get some fresh air into the house without losing heat/cooling capacity.

All sorts of bad stories of health problems being created by improper insulation and weatherizing.

 

[Cag3db1rd]

I found that if i can't do anything to upgrade due to renting, i cover cracks in window frames with duct tape. it really does help.

During the summer, another good use for those silvered mylar emergency blankets is to hang them in windows behind curtains instead of using foil. it is a little more tear resistant, it comes in big sheets, and you can see out of it.

I have one hanging in my daughter's room, the hottest room in the house, and within minutes of hanging it, my husband and i could tell a difference in the temperature.

 

[Maranatha]

This spring, when we had a new metal roof put on, we had Icynene foam sprayed over our add-on living room (previously totally uninsulated). Before that, there was at least a 10 degree difference between that big room and the rest of the house--hotter in summer, colder in winter). Now, there is no temp difference. Just amazing!!!!! We are waiting for the contractor to come back and spray the Icynene in our attic and under the floor of the off-grade portion of the house. We expect a big drop in our electric bill. This is a trade off for some work my husband did for the insulation contractor.

We left our hurricane shutters up from last season on the only east facing windows. Between Ivan and Dennis, our once beautiful oaks are shredded and we have lost tremendous amounts of shade. Keep the curtains closed on the west facing windows.

Others have made some great suggestions.

MARANATHA

 

[Nuthatch]

If you are like me and don't sew much---www.sierratradingpost.com has the insulated tab-top curtains. I have two sets for the large sitting room on the third floor (no shade). Work great.

 

[beprepared]

I HAVE BEEN CONSERVATIVE ALL MY LIFE, BUT THREE YEARS AGO I SOLD MY BIG RANCH AND BOUGHT 37 ACRES, HAD A NEW HOUSE BUILT ONIT [3400] I THINK I DID THE RIGHT THING WHEN I HAD 2X6 STUDS PUT IN,PLUS I" BLDG. BOARD THEN BRICK FACING ON THE WHOLE HOUSE: I ALSO HAD 30" OF INSULATION IN THE ATTIC. DOUBLE PANE WINDOWS AND DOORS. IT IS ALL ELECTRIC [ MISTAKE] I HAVE SINCE PUT IN A 500 GAL PROPANE TANK AND 2 PORTABLE PROPANE HEATERS THAT DO THE JOB AT 20 DEGREES I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GAS COOKING.
I ALSO HAVE A 12 KW DIESEL GENERATOR W / A TRACE INVERTER I HAVE 8/55GAL DRUMS OF WATER IN A BARN WAY ABOVE THE HOUSE PLUMBED IN TO THE HOUSE[ DONT NEED A PUMP FOR WATER WITH THE GRAVETY FLOW.
LAST MONTH MY ELECTRIC BILL WAS $218.00 I THINK THAT IS GOOD WITH ALL THE HEAT WE HAVE HAD IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. AND THE A/C RUNNING ALL THE TIME

 

[yellowsprings]

IT IS ALL ELECTRIC [ MISTAKE] I HAVE SINCE PUT IN A 500 GAL PROPANE TANK AND 2 PORTABLE PROPANE HEATERS THAT DO THE JOB AT 20 DEGREES I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH GAS COOKING.

Since you invested all this money into your home, have you considered going with a geothermal unit? We are all electric and this is the way we went. I do not have to worry about gas leaks or prices.

http://www.waterfurnace.com/

We built our home and had it declared an "Energy Star Home" and we get reduced electric rates. Call your local electric company to see if they have this program.

 

[seraphima]

Just checking in on insulating curtains- these are regular pinchpleated or tab-top curtains, with a foam backing. They wash easily, too. Burlington Mills, for one, makes them, and they are available at places like Sears and JC Penney. Once you know what they look like, then try thrift stores. I have found many pairs of nice ones in thrift stores.

Right now people have not gotten the picture that they better start insulating, and of course windows are basically big holes in your walls- its a good time to look for curtains, even if you have to buy new ones.

A good way to build in dead airspace insulation is to build closets!