News: Media Kits: Living Well Week
News Article
March 12, 2006
Saving energy: The incense test
Writer/source: Pamela Turner (prturner@uga.edu) 706/542-9165
High heating bills aren't just a part of winter. High cooling bills don't have to be a result of the summer's heat.
"Did you know you can reduce the heat losses in your home by up to 30 percent just by sealing air leaks?" asked Pamela Turner, a UGA Cooperative Extension Housing Specialist with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. "This can translate into significant savings on your heating bill this winter."
To test for air leaks in your home, Turner suggests doing an incense test. The test is easy and inexpensive, but should only be done by an adult.
On a windy day, light an incense stick and hold it upright near the closed windows and doors in your home. If the smoke travels horizontally or parallel with the floor, an air leak exists.
Once you find the leaky culprit, seal it with caulk or weather-stripping that can be purchased from a local hardware store. A latex-based caulk is generally a good choice because it can be painted. If the gaps around windows and door frames are large, try a spray-foam product.
"When checking for air leaks in your home, don't forget the attic door," Turner said. "Remember, heat rises. If large gaps exist, you can lose a significant amount of heated air. Insulate the attic door and add weather-stripping to reduce heat losses."
Another source of heat loss is the window air conditioning unit. The best thing to do is remove the unit from the window during the cold months. If this isn't possible, cover it during the months it is not in use.
Adding caulk and weather-stripping are two of the easiest and least costly ways to reduce your heating bills this winter. These small changes will pay for themselves in the first year.
(Pamela Turner is a UGA Cooperative Extension housing specialist with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.)