A recent study said over the past year the use of plastic insulation, as compared to other varieties, prevents some 290 million tons of greenhouse gases released from homes and commercial buildings from escaping into the atmosphere. That staggering number is just the tip of the iceberg, however, when it comes to how plastics can be used as a way to keep energy efficiency high and maintenance costs low in your own home.
How To Video Series on Energy Saving
Nationally syndicated television host and home improvement expert Danny Lipford has partnered up with the Plastics Make It Possible initiative sponsored by the plastics industries of the Arlington, VA-based American Chemistry Council. Lipford and Plastics Make It Possible will create a series of do-it-yourself videos to help homeowners save money and energy with plastic.
“Plastic home building products are highly valued because of their durability, versatility and ability to save energy in both new construction and renovations,” says Lipford. “Partnering with Plastics Make it Possible allows us to show homeowners how to properly use and install many plastic products throughout their homes, which can help them save money and protect the environment,” he said.
For example, by using plastic-based caulks on your drafty windows, doors, cracks and crevices, you can cut down on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint – both great incentives to get out to the hardware store for this easy DIY project.
4 Ways Homeowners Can Use Plastic To Lower Energy Costs
In the first of the series’ 5 videos developed by Lipford and Plastics Make It Possible, Lipford touts the benefits of properly installed and sealed windows. He recommends doing four things to keep your home warm in the winter, cool in the summer and your utility bills low year-round.
Houses often shift with the expansion and contraction of soil. This shifting can produce cracks along the window seals, and those cracks allow outside air to get inside of your home. Initially, Lipford recommends using caulking or expandable foam to seal up those exterior cracks as a first line of defense when it comes to maintaining interior temperatures.
Even if your home doesn’t have any noticeable cracks, there are often small gaps around window sills and door frames. As a second method of achieving maximum energy efficiency, Lipford suggests filling up those narrow spaces with foam weather stripping.
In addition to cracks and gaps around the edges of the windows, the sun’s hot rays play a large role in your home’s internal temperature, especially during the summer months. Lipford recommends keeping it cool by using a plastic window film on the glass.
Finally, some windows, particularly those in older homes, offer very little insulation and need to be replaced altogether. Lipford recommends replacing them with insulated glass windows with energy efficient vinyl frames.
All of these are excellent ways to improve efficiency with plastic, but stay tuned for more in Lipford’s second video series.
