1. Add Weatherstripping
Replace worn-out weatherstripping. Pay close attention to seals on doors that get a lot of use, such as those on the front of the house or between the house and attached garage.
2. Improve Windows
If you're not ready to spring for new windows, fix up the ones you have by replacing latches that don't grip tightly, adding weatherstripping or making repairs to storm windows that are stuck open. You can even build simple wood-and-glass interior or exterior storm windows. Installing a storm window on the inside or outside of an old-fashioned single-glazed window doubles its R value (to 2 or slightly better, about equivalent to an entry-level insulated glass window).
3. Tune Up Boilers and Furnaces
Oil-fired boilers and furnaces need a yearly cleaning and tuneup. Gas-fired furnaces and boilers can go longer without it, but if you haven't had a gas appliance tuned up in two or more years, schedule this as soon as possible.
4. Deal with Air Conditioners
There is no effective way to insulate a window air conditioner. Remove it. Install an insulated cover on through-the-wall air conditioners. Consider replacing these appliances and stepping up to central air if your budget allows it.
5. Patrol for Heat Leaks
Take some time on a bright Saturday morning and have a look around the house, especially in dark crawlspaces, attics and any rooms above a garage. Use spray foam to seal gaps where you see daylight entering. Likewise seal around gaps where pipes and wires enter the attic from the floor below.
6. Insulate Drop-Down Stairs
Buy a polystyrene hood to fit over the opening for the drop-down stairs that lead to the attic. You can also build one yourself using polystyrene panels and construction adhesive.
7. Cover Fireplaces
A fireplace is nothing more than a direct hole to the outside. If the fireplace is unused, close the damper and install a removable panel built of drywall glued to a piece of polystyrene insulation. Install air-tight glass doors in a metal frame over working fireplaces.
1. 增加擋風雨條
更換破舊的擋風雨條。密切注意經常使用的門的密封,例如房屋的前門或者房屋和連接的車庫之間的門。
2. 改進窗戶
如果你還沒有準備立新的窗戶,就可以通過更換那些不能扣緊的鎖栓、增加擋風雨條、或者修理那些被卡住而關不嚴的防風窗,來修復現有的窗戶。你甚至可以做出簡單的木材和玻璃的內防風窗或者外防風窗。將它們安到鑲單層玻璃的老式窗戶的內面或者外面,來增加窗戶的 R 值(可以達到 2 或者略好一些,大約相當于門戶級的中空玻璃窗戶)。
3. 調整鍋爐和爐子
燃油的鍋爐和爐子需要每年清洗和調整。燃氣的爐子和鍋爐可以延長一些,但是,如果你在兩年或兩年以上沒有對燃具進行過調整,則要盡快對此作出安排。
4. 處理空調
沒有有效的方法去隔絕窗口空調器。將它拆除。在穿墻空調器上安裝保溫蓋。如果你的預算允許的話,考慮更換這些設備并上升到中央空調。
5. 巡查熱泄漏的地方
在晴朗的周六早上花一些時間,查看一下房子的周圍,尤其是在黑暗的爬行通道、閣樓和車庫上面的房間處。使用噴涂成型的泡沫來密封你看到光線進入的隙縫。同樣密封水管和電線從地板下面進入閣樓處的周圍空隙。
6. 隔絕下拉式樓梯
買一個聚苯乙烯罩,扣到通向閣樓的下拉式樓梯的開口上面。你也可以用聚苯乙烯板和建筑膠粘劑自己做一個。
7. 蓋住壁爐
壁爐完全是一個直接通向外界的洞口。如果壁爐閑置,則將風閥關閉,并安裝一塊可拆卸的面板,內置粘到聚苯乙烯保溫片上的墻板。對于工作的壁爐,則在它上面的金屬框架中安裝不透空氣的玻璃門。