Energy Efficient Homes With Brad Staggs

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates you could cut your heating and cooling costs by 20% through proper insulation and air-sealing. "If you add up all those gaps and cracks in your house, you're likely to come up with about four square feet of space," notes home improvement expert Brad Staggs. "That’s like keeping a 2x2 foot window open in the middle of winter!" Those gaps and cracks have never been easier to find and seal. Black & Decker has come out with its Thermal Leak Detector: just set a reference temperature by pointing the device on an inside wall and press the power button. As you scan areas of the house, the LED spotlight will change from green to red or blue, identifying hot or cold leaks, respectively. For sealing, go to where the gaps are – in the basement or attic – and use Great Stuff Insulating Foam Sealant to foam around the outer perimeter of the ductwork. It will expand to fully fill those gaps and cracks, forming a permanent, airtight, water-resistant bond.