Thursday, December 15, 2011

How To Install Energy Efficient Replacement Windows

Introduction:

Most modern replacement window products are designed for energy efficiency. Look for triple pane replacement windows if you are looking for a maximum energy efficiency from your window replacement project.

Preparations:

Before you learn about how to install replacement windows, you must first know what the correct and much necessary preparations for this job are. Doing the necessary preparations will make the installation process smoother. The things you can do to prepare for the installation are as follows:

1. Remove all window treatments such as blinds and shades to allow easy access to the windows. Decorations or glass ornaments should be removed from the windows as well.

2. Clear the way so that there is enough space for the actual operation. Certain furnishings may have to be moved away and breakable items need to be taken off of wall shelves.

3. Secure a ladder if you cannot reach the height of the window. If you think that the window replacement project is going to generate a fair amount of dust and debris, then it is best to cover the nearest furnishings with protective covers that can be obtained at your local home improvement store for a few dollars.

Remember to only take out one window at a time. This will prevent birds or other animals, plus more dust, from entering the house during the process. To make the installation safer and easier, it should be done from inside your home.


Remove The Window Sashes


Knowing how to remove the sashes is the second step on how to install replacement windows. Replacement windows will usually fit perfectly inside the window frame so all you will need to do is remove the sashes.

1. First, remove the inside stop pieces. Be careful when removing these pieces. You will be reusing them when installing the replacement windows.

2. Next, remove the inside sash. Cut the sash chains or cords if your old window uses weights. Let them fall to the bottom of their wells and just leave them there.

3. The outside sash should then be slid to the bottom of the window. The parting beads should be removed and discarded and the outside sash must be removed in the same way as the inside sash. Make sure not to remove the exterior stops from the window jambs, given that they will be used to retain the replacement windows once you install them.

4. Clean the window sill and jambs thoroughly. If your old window had weights, you can either remove them completely or just drive the pulleys into the frame. Any holes in the sill or jambs should be filled with caulk.

Install The Windows

It is important that you know how to install energy efficient replacement windows properly. Windows that have been installed or adjusted poorly do not only waste energy, but are difficult to operate as well. You should always take your time when installing and adjusting your replacement windows.

1. Place a dab of caulk on the jambs, specifically, on the inside portion of the outside stops. Make an indication on the sill for the sill angle, and then caulk the sill angle and install it.

2. The bottom and top sashes should be vertically centered in the new window frame. The bumper stops should be slid towards the center of the frame until the mounting holes in the side jambs become visible.

3. Place the expander, also known as the header, on top of the window. Caulk its top next.

4. Put the window in the opening and check it to make sure that it is square. If it isn’t, then you have to shim it as needed. The installation of mounting screws at the bottom and top of each side jamb will follow. Try not to install the screws too tightly. They might deform the side jambs.

5. Seal any gap between the old frame and the top of the replacement window by sliding the header up.

6. Check for gaps by sliding the bottom and top sashes up. If they do not operate smoothly, adjust the window frame using the built-in adjustment screws in the side jambs.

7. Lastly, caulk the inside of the new window and then reinstall the inside stops. Now that you know how to install replacement windows, you will no longer have to hire a professional if any of the windows in your house needs to be replaced.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Solar Hot Water System Installation on a Metal Roof

A solar hot water system may be installed on any type of roof, even a metal roof. This article will discuss the installation of the solar panels, and the feed and return lines as they pertain to a solar hot water system installation on a metal roof.

Typically, metal roofs are made of aluminum, but many metal roofing companies also offer steel and copper metal roofs. There are many types of metal roofs available, but the most common are interlocking metal shingles roofing tiles, and standing seam metal panels.




A standing seam metal roof is comprised of side by side interlocking metal panels, usually 16 inches wide, that are installed vertically from the top of the roof to the eave. The interlocking seam joining the panels is raised, perpendicular to the roof surface, forming the standing seam and creating a beam like structure.

When installing the solar panels of the solar hot water system on a standing seam metal roof, no penetration of the metal roof surface is necessary. Specialized mounting clips are clamped to the standing seam. The solar panels of the solar hot water system are then attached to the mounting clips.

When installing solar panels of the solar hot water system on a metal roof consisting of interlocking metal tiles, penetration into the metal roof surface is necessary. To install each mounting clip, the metal tile must be raised. A mounting support plate with sealant is placed under the tile. The mounting clip is then attached to the roof with a lag bolt, penetrating the metal shingle and mounting support plate and into the supporting beam. The solar panels of the solar hot water system are then attached to the mounting clips.

Galvanic corrosion may occur in the solar hot water system, specifically between the metal roof and the mounting clips. Galvanic corrosion takes place when two dissimilar metals and an electrolyte come in contact with each other. This creates an electrical pathway whereby ions migrate from one metal to the other. This can be minimized through the use of like materials in the design of the solar hot water system. Aluminum mounting hardware should be used with aluminum roofing; brass hardware should be used with copper roofing, and so forth. Since corrosion can still occur to some degree even when using like materials, plating of the mounting hardware and painting the metal roofing can also helpful.

Two additional roof penetrations in the metal roof are also necessary in order to install the feed and return lines of the solar hot water system. A hole is drilled through the metal roof and roof sheathing for each line. In the case of metal interlocking tiles, the hole should be drilled in the center of the tile. In the case of a standing seam metal roof, the hole should be drilled at least six inches from a standing seam. The metal roof should be carefully raised up. Metal flashing, with sealant applied to the bottom side, should be placed under the metal roof with the flashing’s collar inserted through the hole in the roofing. Additional sealant should be applied to the flashing. After the metal roof is pressed down onto the flashing, a cap is added to the flashing’s collar. Piping should be fed through the flashing collar and cap. Piping should then be soldered to the cap, but not to the flashing due to possible expansion and contraction of the piping. For additional waterproofing assurance of the solar hot water system, a second flashing may be installed over the metal roof.

As in the case of the mounting clips, both metal flashing and metal roofing of the solar hot water system should be made from similar materials.

For more information regarding metal roofs for commercial and residential buildings, please visit New England Metal Roof at http://www.newenglandmetalroof.com.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Window Replacement Tips For You To Follow

Replacing your old windows can help improve your home's energy efficiency, and raise its resale value. Tips and Tricks offered in this guide will give you ideas on how to make your window replacement process a little easier.

Why Do I need to Pay Attention to this Guide?

Keep in mind that window replacement projects are expensive and time-consuming, and one minor mistake in measurements can lead to the loss of both time and money.

How to Get The Measurements Right

The first, and vitally important, tip is to get the measurements of the windows. Remove the interior trim molding so you get the window's accurate measurements. Using a measuring tape, take the measurements of both the vertical and horizontal dimensions. Do not forget to list the measurements on a piece of paper. You will need them when you shop for new windows.

Choose The Best Material

The second tip is to choose the material that will fit your needs and suit your preferences. There are certain materials that work in specific environments and climates so make sure to choose one that will offer the benefits that you need. Some things to consider here include double and triple pane windows.

Vinyl – Vinyl windows are one of the most common replacement windows as they are energy efficient and easier to maintain. They do not usually require painting and they have an attractive appearance. They generally last longer as well because of their durable characteristics. There are vinyl replacement windows that are actually wood, but the exterior is coated in vinyl. This type of window combines the look of natural wood with the low maintenance features of vinyl. Choosing vinyl windows is one of the best window replacement tips that you can utilize.

Wood – Replacement windows made of wood are still popular because of their affordability and their classic appearance. They may require heavy maintenance because of the fact that they can split due to weather influences. They also need to be painted to prevent them from obtaining damage from water.

Steel – Steel window replacements are strong and durable, making it a good option. However, if they acquire any dents, then the damage is unfortunately permanent.

Aluminum – Aluminum windows are cost-efficient and are very easy to install. In areas where aluminum is cooler than the ambient air, condensation could form and seep into the frame, therefore damaging the window sills. The wood will then rot and more water will leak into the walls. If you think you live in a place where aluminum is usually cooler than the surrounding air, then it is best to disregard this option from the list of window replacement tips.

Consider Your Choices

If you have already chosen the type of material that you want for your replacement windows, then you can now shop and look for ones that you like. With all of the numerous styles, colors, and shapes to choose from, it will surely take a while to find exactly what you want. Choosing a replacement window that will match the room’s style and interior is another, and very crucial, piece of advice out of the list of window replacement tips that you should follow. This will not only help you save time on shopping, it will also increase the aesthetic appeal of your home.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Building Green Home Tips

Green Building Home Tips: How to make your Home Greener

Sustainable Technology and Green Building is becoming a new way to build in America and Worldwide. Environmentally sustainable construction projects that qualify for LEED Certification can benefit from many state and local incentives.

So, what does a term Green Building mean?

To most people green building means energy efficiency and earth conservation, which is in fact the foundation of any green building project. But, there is more to it than that.

From earth conservation perspective, Green Building entails:

  • Energy Efficiency - Use of Solar and Wind Energy, Skylights. For example Roof integrated solar panels, wind turbines generating electricity for the building.
  • Material Conservation - Use of recycled materials and earth friendly materials. For example Metal Roofing panels made from recycled metal.
  • Water Conservation - Constructing a building integrated with water saving sensors
  • Environment Conservation -Keeping the natural habitat around the building site in good shape.

From Human Benefit perspective, Green Building entails:

  • Building that is healthy for humans to be in. For example, building with fresh air monitoring systems that ensures there is always adequate fresh air in the building.
  • Building constructed from materials that are safe for humans.
  • Building that incorporates pleasant positive elements that have positive impact on human presence: natural light, convenient design that is easy and natural for human use.
Thus, green building is all about being nature friendly, human friendly, energy efficiency and efficient use of resources.

How can I make my home greener?

You can easily make your home greener by making just a few simple changes and improvements. Our main focus here is to identify a few areas in our home that could be improved in ecological and energy efficient way.

Make your home more energy efficient:

Inefficient Home heating system or the way it is used can be the biggest energy waster in your home. There are a couple of things you can do to make your home heating more efficient:

  • Insulate your home - Insulating the walls of your house will keep the heat inside the building, which could help you save as much as fifty percents on your heating bill and it would significantly reduce your carbon foot print.
  • Turn down the temperature - Why not turn down the thermostat during the day when you are not home. For the times when you are home, keeping the temperature one degree less than 68 degrees Fahrenheit will save about 3 to 5 percents in energy usage.
Replace your old appliances with energy efficient washers, dryer and Energy Star rated kitchen appliances.

  • Install energy Efficient Washer - Use a front loading washer machine to do your laundry. It will help you save water, energy, and your clothes will last longer. Front loading washer also uses less space, which will help attaining greener building design.
  • Energy Star rated appliances - Using Energy Star rated appliances will help you save water, energy and help preserve the environment. Consider buying an energy star rated refrigerator, or a microwave when it is time to upgrade your existing appliances.
Have you considered installing energy efficient skylights to provide natural light for your home during the day? Adding skylights can be a great way to add an element of sustainable building design to your home. Consider installing a skylight on your roof when you decide to replace your roof.

Energy Efficient Roof - In green building design, energy efficient roof can help save energy and significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs. An energy efficient metal roof can also help earn LEED credits.


  • Metal Roof - Reflects solar radiant heat, which keeps your roof cooler during the summer. During the winter, metal roof will shed snow and ice, which will prevent ice and snow build up and keep your roof free of snow. Metal Roofing is considered to be a green roofing material, which is contains significant proportion of recycled metal materials.
  • Another advantage of using metal for your new roof, is that it can be installed right over top of the existing asphalt shingle roof. This eliminates unnecessary waste and saves our landfills.
  • Solar Roof Panels - Standing Seam Metal Roof can easily be integrated with solar roof panels that convert solar energy into electricity, which provides free energy for your home. This can be a great element of sustainable building design.


If your building does not have a slopped roof, you can still take advantage of ultra long lasting and energy efficient PVC roofing membrane manufactured by IB Roofs.

An image above displays a residential flat roof protected by IB cool flat roofing membrane. Notice, the skylight installed in combination with IB roof system. This IB roof reflect over 90 percent of solar radiant heat, which helps to keep this home cooler in the summer, and reduce AC energy expenses, as well as reduce the home's carbon footprint.

Points to Ponder
  • A typical dark roof similar to EPDM rubber, absorbs most of the heat gained from the sun and transfers it into the building, which results in increased Air Conditioning use and high energy waste. IB Roofing membrane reflects most of the thermal energy produced by the sun, which keeps roof temperatie low and does not transfer any unnecessary heat gains inside the building. This lowers the AC energy consumption during the summer and can be of great significance especially in places with high sun exposure like, Florida, Arizona and California. Use Roof energy savings calculator to see how much energy your building could save with a Cool Roof rated flat roofing membrane.
Thus, one of the easiest ways to integrate some elements of sustainable building design into your existing home, can be achieved by exploring some energy efficient and long lasting green roofing alternatives.


References:

http://jsbi.blogspot.com/2007/05/10-tips-to-make-your-house-more-greener.html


http://www.newenglandmetalroof.com


http://www.coolflatroof.com


http://www.builditgreen.org/ExistingHome

http://www.greensolarcafe.com

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Solar Metal Roofing


Not All Solar Roofing Products/Systems are Made Equal...


Some are more equal than others!

An increasing number of environmentally conscious and high-energy-cost sensitive homeowners and business people consider installing solar roofing panels in order to harness solar energy and generate electricity for their homes, or commercial buildings. For years, the traditional approach was based on installing heavy crystalline solar panels on top of an asphalt shingle roof, an oil based roofing system with a relatively short lifespan.

This approach has worked for a while, however, roof penetrations, needed for the installation of solar panels mounting system made to an asphalt shingle roof, increased the likelihood of premature roof leaks down the road, and shortened the already-too-short lifespan of the asphalt shingle roof.




With the latest technological advancements, innovations, and commercially viable implementation of thin-film solar roofing technology, we can now benefit from solar roofing products that offer revolutionary simplicity. Thin-film solar panels are light-weight, easy to install and can last a long time, requiring no penetrations to your roof.

Standing Seam Roof with Solar Panels

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. One of the latest technological innovations in solar metal roofing is the integration of solar roofing panel laminates with standing seam metal roofing panels through the use of a peel and stick method.

Mess-free, light-weight and long lasting, this energy efficient roofing solution pays for itself.




Pros and Cons of Crystalline Solar Roofing System coupled with an Asphalt Shingle Roof


Before we can talk about all the benefits of thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, lets examine the cons of using the traditional combination of bulky solar roofing panels installed on an asphalt shingle roof.

Here is Why you should not install solar panels on an asphalt shingle roof...

The main problem associated with general/conventional PV solar roofing systems that you can often see on some homes and buildings around the country, is the fact that an asphalt shingle roof is likely to fail much sooner than the solar panels will.

Picture a scenario in which a homeowner spends a large amount of money to install a new crystalline solar panels system on his/her existing asphalt shingle roof. It is likely that in several years the roof will fail, due to roof leaks caused in part by roof penetrations made during the solar system installation.

When such a situation occurs, homeowners will be faced not only with earlier than expected re-roofing expenses, but also with having to pay for a complete removal of solar panels, and for their eventual re-installation.


What further complicates this situation, is that re-roofing, and solar panel dismantling and reinstalling of solar panels MUST be coordinated and simultaneously performed by both the roofer and the solar integrator.

The roofer, only paid for the installation of a new roof, will 99% of the time make solar panel dismantling and reinstallation errors that could cause irreparable damage to solar panels.

Bear in mind that roofing warranty will most of the time not cover damages to the solar equipment, let alone all the possible short-circuit of the solar wiring situations.

The additional solar panel dismantling and reinstallation cost associated with these procedures just as high as the expected cost of a new roof itself.

If you think about it, electricians, unlike roofers, have to be licensed. An apprentice electrician needs at-least 4 years of schooling/work experience. This is like an undergraduate degree. Master electrician needs another 4 years. Therefore, electricians usually charge $75-100 per man-hour. You will need at least two electricians for this job, which will take a whole day to remove the panels, and another full day to put them back on.

The math is simple: 2 guys * $75/h * 8 hrs. * 2 days = $2400.00, plus any possible parts and supplies that may be required.

Let’s assume it costs $2500.00 to remove and reinstall crystalline solar panels on your roof. In some parts of the country, this is how much an average 1200 sq. ft. a new cape house roof may cost for labor and materials.


Thin-Film Solar Roofing Panels on a Metal Roof vs. Crystalline Solar Panels on an Asphalt Shingle Roof.


What are the Thin-Film Solar Roofing Panels?

Thin film solar roofing panels are light-weight and easy to install. They are made to fit standard standing seam metal roofing panels. Thin-film PV solar panels do not require any penetrations to the roof, and can be easily attached to standing seam panels using a revolutionary peel and stick method.

Thin-Film PV Solar Panels vs. Crystalline Solar Panels

Crystalline solar panels can generate twice the amount of electricity of the thin-film solar panels. However, crystalline panels are bulkier, and use a special mounting system, which requires roof penetrations. The only exception is a standing seam metal roof. You can attach a solar panel holding brackets to the raised seams of the metal roof.



Thin-Film PV solar panels are designed to integrate seamlessly with a standing seam metal roof. They have a very low profile, which can be a significant architectural factor. They can generate electricity even on cloudy days, in the absence of a direct sunlight.

Why combine a Metal Roof with thin-film PV solar panels?

Unlike the ubiquitous asphalt shingle roofs, modern metal roofing systems are made to last and can be considered permanent. They are manufactured using a significant proportion of recycled metal content, and are fully recyclable themselves, hence qualifying as sustainable green building materials.

When Metal meets Solar, it is a true Match

When a metal roof is installed by a trained professional, it will last for many decades, and thus can be a permanent platform for a solar roofing system be it crystalline or a thin film PV solar.

Metal roofs combined with renewable energy technologies can create a perfect combination of light-weight, long-lasting and affordable solution for Solar Electric and Solar Hot Water systems.

Solar electric, hot water and heating

There are numerous benefits to having a metal roof combined with Solar PV panels, and other renewable energy technologies. Longevity, durability, and cost savings that add up over time are just to name a few.


When comparing shingles vs. metal roofing, you should also consider that a metal roof will help save our landfills from getting more old roofing shingles, petroleum based products, being dumped there every time an old asphalt shingle roof gets replaced.

Metal roofing provides a permanent and energy efficient roofing solution that can generate electricity when a metal roof is integrated with solar roofing panels, and various other solar technologies such as solar hot water systems.



Latest Developments in Solar Roofing


As solar metal roofing solutions are plowing ahead, conventional roofing manufacturers are actively pursing the solar roofing market. Their latest product, a solar shingles roofing system, uses thin-film solar panel technology in combination with conventional asphalt shingles. However, the proponents of green and environmentally friendly building technologies are likely to be disappointed, because the asphalt shingle underneath the solar panel contains petroleum, and is not going to last as long as the metal alternative.


Learn more about solar metal roofing at

http://www.greensolarcafe.com/

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Led Lighting Pros and Cons

Advantages of LED light bulbs

LED lighting offers several important advantages over CFLs and incandescent light bulbs. LEDs are far more reliable, and have a significantly longer lifetime than CFLs, not to mention conventional light bulbs LEDs are far less prone to a sudden failure, which makes them a safer option since they are unlikely to leave you unexpectedly in the dark. LEDs can be instantly turned on to full brightness, unlike CFLs then need a good minute to fully warm.



How energy efficient are replacement LED light bulbs?


Energy efficiency is the greatest advantage of LED lights. 80% of energy used up by LEDs goes towards producing light vs. just mere 10% in incandescent lights. LEDs do not contain any mercury like CFLs do, which makes them 100% eco-friendly, and easy to recycle.




LEDs can be manufactured in any color, and many models can be used with a standard dimmer, and with a home automation system. LEDs offer a lot of flexibility for a home interior lighting design.



Disadvantages of LEDs

One of the main temporary disadvantages of LED lights is a relatively high initial cost of investment required to make a transition from conventional light bulbs to LEDs. The initial cost of LED light bulbs currently hovers in the range of $40 to $60 depending on the light output and longevity ratings.


However, not everything is so dark in the land of LEDs... It is estimated that a homeowner can recoup the cost of initial investment in replacement LED light bulbs in just a few years. Still, at an estimated average cost of $1600.00 to replace 40 incandescent light bulbs with 40 LED light bulbs, most homeowners will likely be deterred by the price tag shocker! On, a bright side though, replacing the bulbs on as needed basis may prove to be less painful to a family budget of most people, and produce a feel good kind of feeling in some homeowners:)


Future LED Light Prices


Although prices of LEDs have already dropped by some 50% since the early home lighting replacement LED lights came out on the market, most of regular consumers still find LEDs a bit too pricey for their taste, and prefer to wait for the price of LEDs to go down before they will consider buying them.


Is this kind of thinking justified? Just like with most early new technologies on the market, being expensive for LEDs, is no exception to the rule, however, as increasing numbers of LED lighting manufacturers are introducing their products to the market, trying to compete for the same consumers' dollars, the prices of LEDs inevitably decrease as competitive markets force manufacturers to lower their prices. As a rule of thumb, you can expect prices of LED light bulbs to decrease by 50% every 3 years, while their performance will improve. It is really quite a good reason to wait, is not it?



Color Spectrum Limitations of LEDs

Another potential problem is that the light produced by some white LEDs does not have the same quality as that produced by a conventional light bulb. Thus, some people can find it difficult to adjust to using LED lighting. However, many homeowners report liking a full spectrum 5500K LED light bulbs that simulate noon day light.



Energy Uses


The excellent energy efficiency of LED lighting is one of its key benefits. Reducing the amount of energy that is required for lighting can help to reduce energy bills and it can benefit the environment by reducing the amount of electricity that needs to be produced and used. LED lighting is far more energy efficient that conventional incandescent lighting. A typical standard incandescent light bulb of 60 to 100 Watts will emit about 15 lumens per watt. A typical fluorescent light will emit about 100 lumens per watt. A LED can emit more than 100 lumens per watt, with some experimental LEDs managing to produce 208 lumens per watt. A typical commercially produced LED will produce between 17 and 79 lumens per watt under normal conditions.



A LED can convert about 80 percent of the energy it uses into light, with the remainder being converted into heat. An incandescent light bulb will only convert about 20 percent of energy into light, losing as much as 80 percent as heat.



Durability

A LED is a durable and reliable source of lighting. LEDs tend to be very hard wearing and they generally last longer than conventional lights. A normal commercial LED should be able to last for between 25,000 and 100,000 hours. 100,000 hours is equivalent to 11 years of continual use. Some people are still using the same LEDs that they purchased during the 1970s or 1980s.



Most LEDs, when they fail, will do so gradually, becoming fainter and less efficient, although sudden failures are also possible. The lifetime of a LED is usually measured as the time which it will take for the LED's light output to decline to 75 or 50 percent of its original output. These measurements are sometimes known as the L75 and L50.



Temperature Information


LED lights tend to function better at a low temperature, although they can be used in warmer conditions. LEDs do not produce as much waste heat as conventional light bulbs. This is one reason why LEDs are an energy efficient and environmentally sound choice. However, the lack of heat production does mean that LED lights are not protected against the build up of ice and snow during the winter. In a cold climate, a LED can easily become covered in snow when it is used outside.



Choosing an appropriate LED Light Bulb


LEDs are typically classified according to the amount of power that they produce, their color, their shape and their size. Size, color and brightness are all important considerations when choosing LED lighting. It is also important to think about how the LEDs will be fitted, for example in a lamp or in a fixture built into the room. The energy efficiency of a LED is also a very important consideration, with LEDs that are Energy Star rated usually being among the most energy efficient options.


Summary

LED lights are available in a wide range of different colors, from infrared to ultraviolet. A LED can emit red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet or purple light, in the visible range. LEDs can also produce white light. In terms of getting a good deal, patience is a virtue, and if you can afford to wait out the initial hype, you will pay less for your new LEDs! In the mean time, you can surely get by with some low cost spiral CFLs.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Insulating Home - How To Insulate Your Home

The biggest and probably the best home improvement that anyone can make to their home is to ensure that it is insulated properly. A home that is not insulated properly is going to have higher energy bills since the building will be losing heat in the winter, and gaining heat in the summer.

Not surprisingly, people living in poorly insulated homes may constantly find themselves turning the thermostat up. In the summer months the house will be hot no matter what temperature the thermostat is on because the insulation is not blocking the sun's heat from entering the home. Saving on energy bills is usually the reason that people decide to undertake this home improvement, however, your personal comfort is also an important reason to make the change.


Insulation materials are usually equipped with a backing that may also be reflective. This backing will be facing the exterior of the home. It helps block the heat from coming into the house. While the front of the insulation will be layered with a fuzzy material that is much similar to fleece or stuffing material that keeps the heat and air from escaping. It is vital that you do not install this improperly since it will be useless to you.

When installing insulation in your attic, or in between the walls, be sure to wear long sleeves and gloves. Fiberglass insulation itches terribly when it comes into contact with the skin. You should also wear a face mask in order to protect yourself from having breathing problems.


Image Source: http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-install-fiberglass-insulation/index.html


Installing insulation is pretty self explanatory, you are going to have to remove the walls in order to get to the space that is in between the exterior and the interior of your home. Then simply put the insulation in. Most people choose to use small tacking nails in order to get it to stay. While others find that the space in the area is so tight that they have no trouble with the insulation staying in place. While you are doing this, you should consider insulating the roof. The majority of heat is lost through the roof, thus it makes sense to have insulation installed in this part of the house. Many people even put insulation in the floors since this is where most cold air is lost. However, this is a highly involved task and may require a professional home insulation contractor.


Overall, the installation of insulation in your home may require two people. If you have more, the job will get done faster. The best advice is to start with one room and go from room to room.

As a safety precaution,

Remember that you may need to remove outlets and cut electricity off to the room that you are working in to prevent anyone from being electrocuted.