Small Victory - House most energy efficient it's ever been.

[Kirk R.]

Last year I had a pipe burst when it hit -18 degrees and my furnace ended up quitting. ended up getting some PEX and new water heater and new water softener.  guess my taxes will be less when I file for 2014.

The addition on the house only has one air duct and the pipe that burst was run outside the heated space in the attic.

Ameren local energy company had an energy audit for $50 on sale for $25. They shot the whole thing with a FLIR infrared "predator" gun. Replaced light bulbs with CFLs. & put aerators on the shower heads and faucets. I did this in June.  would have been better if there was a higher temp difference between inside and out but very good deal for $25.

I finally have the house in the best energy efficiency it has ever been in.

1. Caulked one window shut - probably should have replaced but was being cheap

2. Insulated attic.  

3. Used plastic shrink wrap window kits over all the windows on the addition.

4. Cut vents in ceiling to allow heat in the addition to reach the pipes run in the unheated attic.  boxed in the pipes in the attic then buried with rake in insulation.  So far so good but sposed to go colder

5. Plugged the chimney flu

6. Used plastic shrink wrap to seal entrance to one small attic area.

7.  One boarder helped me insulate his windows with Shrink wrap.

8.  Sealed a doggy door.

Appreciate the advice on some of these Roy N. -Things probably still worth doing - putting insulation on all the outlet covers on the outside walls. Using weather stripping foam to seal one attic access. Caulking all the windows to make sure they are air tight.  Putting insulation where the basement meets the main floor.

Hoping I got most of the low hanging fruit.  & that my pipes are done freezing.  & my energy bill will be is significantly less.

I think I pretty much hit most of the cost effective energy improvements.