Loosing Energy and Money? Seal Leaks – Re-insulate Your Attic with EcoTouch Insulation ( 70% Recyled Material )

Video by: New Owens Corning EcoTouch™ PINK™ FIBERGLAS® Insulation with PureFiber™ Technolgy helps you save money and energy while helping save the planet. Using sustainable manufacturing processes this new EcoTouch™ PINK™ FIBERGLAS® Insulation is made with natural* materials and a formaldehyde-free formulation delivering peace of mind. And it has a minimum of 70%** recycled content, the highest in the industry. – http://insulation.owenscorning.ca/ecotouch/ Excerpt from YouTube

Tips from Energy Star: Below Excerpt From:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=diy.diy_getting_started

Sealing and Insulating are often the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient — and you can do it yourself with guidance from ENERGY STAR.

Attic air sealing and adding insulation are do-it-yourself projects if your attic is accessible and not too difficult to move around in. The projects recommended in this guide can usually be completed in a day or two and will provide benefits for years to come. If upon inspection of your attic you find any of the conditions listed to the left, we recommend you consider hiring a contractor to correct these problems before proceeding.

Wet or damp insulation indicating a leaky roof
Moldy or rotted attic rafters or floor joists indicating moisture problems
Kitchen, bathroom, and clothes dryer vents that exhaust moist air directly into the attic space instead of outdoors
A history of ice dams in the winter (an indication of serious air leaks)
Little or no attic ventilation
Knob and tube wiring (pre-1930), which can be a fire hazard when in contact with insulation
If you have many unsealed and uninsulated recessed “can” lights, special care must be taken when insulating around these fixtures

Have a Plan in Place
The key to any successful home improvement project is adequate planning. Gather all your tools and supplies before you begin to minimize trips in and out of the attic. Be sure that the work area is well-lit by using a drop light, and keep a flashlight handy.

Prepare to Get Dirty
The entire process of sealing your attic will be made easier if you take the time and effort to wear the right gear. Wear knee pads to help prevent pain associated with crawling on attic joists. Additionally, a lightweight disposable coverall, gloves, and hat can keep itchy and irritating insulation off your skin.

Above All — Be Safe
Take precautions to avoid a dangerous working environment in the attic. During hot weather start working early, as attics heat up as the day moves on. Drink plenty of water and use an OSHA-approved particulate respirator or double-strap dust mask to prevent inhalation of hazardous substances. Also remember to watch your step. Walk on joists or truss chords, not exposed ceiling drywall or insulation. In addition, watch out for sharp nails sticking through the roof deck!

Materials Checklist for Sealing Attic Air Leaks
Batt or roll of unfaced fiberglass insulation and large garbage bags (for stuffing open stud cavities behind kneewalls and in dropped soffits)
Roll of reflective foil insulation or other blocking material such as drywall or pieces of rigid foam insulation to cover soffits, open walls, and larger holes
Silicone or acrylic latex caulk & caulk gun for sealing small holes (1/4 inch or less)
Several cans of expanding spray foam insulation for filling larger gaps (1/4 inch to 3 inches) Special high-temperature (heat-resistant) caulk to seal around flues and chimneys
Roll of 14-inch wide aluminum flashing to keep insulation away from the flue pipe
Retractable utility knife and sheet metal scissors
Tape measure and staple gun (or hammer and nails) to hold covering materials in place
Safety glasses, gloves, and dust mask (for insulation work as well)
Flashlight or portable safety light
Boards to walk on, if needed
Large bucket to haul materials

 

State of California – Final Phase of Rebates for Heating and Air Conditioning Systems and Water Heaters Ends December 31, 2020

For Immediate Release: December 15, 2010
Media Contact: No Contact Available

MEDIA ADVISORY: http://www.cash4appliances.org/

What: The California Energy Commission is closing the final phase of the Cash for Appliances rebate program. Applications for water heaters and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems must be postmarked by December 31, 2010.

The Home Appliance program closed on December 6, 2010 which provided rebates for refrigerators, clothes washers, room air conditioners, dishwashers, and freezers.

Since April, more than 180,000 applications have been received and approximately less than $1 million is still available.

When: New applications for HVAC and water heater systems must be postmarked by December 31, 2010. Consumers that receive a request to correct their application must submit and postmark their supplemental information no later than 30 days from the postmark date of their letter.

Applications for HVAC and water heater systems postmarked after December 31, 2010 will be placed on a waiting list on a first-come, first serve basis.

Why: The program has less than $1 million remaining and is closing the program to control over-subscription of the funds.

Who: The Energy Commission has partnered with more than 80 Platinum Retail Partners and more than 50 Official Partners to assist consumers with appliance purchases, recycling their old appliances and completing their application. A list of partners is available at: http://www.cash4appliances.org/partners/list.html.

Consumers must work with a licensed California contractor for the installations of water heaters and heating and cooling units. Consumers should check with their local utility and the State of California Contractor’s State License Board (CSLB) for lists of contractors in their area and How to Hire a Contractor:www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/HireAContractor/

How: Consumers are eligible for a rebate when they purchase a qualified high energy efficient appliance, water heater, or heating and cooling units, properly recycle their old appliance or system, and submit a complete application package. Instructions on how to complete an application for the California Cash for Appliances rebate is available at: www.cash4appliances.org/consumers/Rebate-Form.pdf

To check on the status of a rebate, consumers can use a new tool located on the homepage of the website at:www.cash4appliances.org A consumer must enter their unique tracking number or their last name, phone number, and type of appliance that was purchased.

Consumers who need to correct their rebate application can contact their retailer or contractor, call the toll-free number at: 1-888-390-4034, or e-mail the Energy Commission at: rebates@energy.state.ca.us

Eligible energy efficient home appliances and rebate amounts were: refrigerators $200, clothes washers $100, dishwashers $100, freezers $50, and room air conditioners up to $50. Rebates for eligible water heaters are $300-$750, and eligible HVAC systems qualify for $500 to $1000.

The program notice can be viewed here: www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/energystar.html

Consumer Tips to Speed Rebate Processing:

1. Read the Steps. Read the steps on rebate application and include all of the required supporting documentation.
2. Fill out form completely and correctly. Do not leave any items blank on the application. Check the appropriate boxes and sign the application. For HVAC and Water Heaters a California licensed contractor will assist the consumer with the application.
3. Be consistent. Make sure that the applicant’s first and last name matches the name on the certificate of recycling and the name on the utility bill. Only one first and last name is required on the application. The Certificate of Recycling and Utility Bill are only required for Clothes Washers, Refrigerators, Room Air Conditioners, Freezers, and Dishwashers. HVAC and Water Heater applications must list the Certified Appliance Recyclers (CAR) name and CAR number.
4. Recycle. Consumers must recycle their old appliance to receive a rebate. The Certificate of Recycling document must be included with the application. If a consumer is participating in their utility rebate program, the utility will provide the consumer with the required Cash for Appliances Certificate of Recycling. Consumers can also obtain the Certificate of Recycling from a platinum retailer, participating city of county governments haul away program, or a Certified Appliance Recycler. For information on how to properly recycle an old appliance, visit:
   www.cash4appliances.org/consumers/recycle.html
5. Correct Postage. Affix proper postage before mailing your rebate application.