Button-Up Notes

John Ashton, of Ashton Thermal, gave a powerpoint presentation and showed samples of insulation and air sealing materials.

Here are margin notes from the presentation and questions:

• It is usually not desirable to insulating heating pipes. Insulate hot and cold domestic water pipes with foam -- its a generic product so it does not matter what brand you use. Miter the corners and tape with Typar tape.
• It is not usually advisable to insulate between a basement and the first floor. Do seal and insulate the sill & foundation joint.
• Only wrap electric hot water tanks. Combustion-heated tanks should generally not be wrapped. Venting and fire safety are the issue.
• Conditioned space relative humidity should be not more than 35% in the winter. Close a basement in the summer to prevent moisture condensation. Open it during dry autumn days.
• Front-loading washers are very effective and use little water. Use cold water wash and the correct detergent.
• Take care to properly seal chimney penetrations with the correct fire-resistant materials and high temperature caulk.
  

Suggested Suppliers:

• Jerihill Hardware
  
• Sticks & Stuff
  
• efi.org
  

Get an Energy Audit!

Additional Information

Auditors:
www.efficiencyvermont.com/homeperformance

DIY tips:
http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/publications/pubdocs/DIY_Guide_May_2008.pdf

Tax Credits:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

Tight Done Right:
http://www.efficiencyvermont.com/pages/BBBD2004/docs/Hamilton%20&%20Hulstrunk%20-%20Tight%20Done%20Right.pdf

Yestermorrow

Yestermorrow is a leading institution for learning about the design-build process -- with energy and environmental awareness.

View the course offerings at yestermorrow.org

Thank You

Thank you to the many businesses and volunteers who helped organize Energy Night and Energy Day: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Underhill Country Store, Price Chopper, Cathy McNamara, Rob Sleamaker, Dan Clayton, Sally Duval. Rebecca Schwarz installed her Tower of Power and John Koier, Maura Duval, Courtney Rose, Matt Thompson, and John Treybal created projects for Energy Night. Bob Murphy and George Hoguet gave valuable presentations, while Efficiency Vermont, Firefly Solar Store, Union Bank and Spafford & Sons exhibited during Energy Day. Thank you all for making it fun and interesting.

See you at Button-Up Day, 10:00-12 noon October 18 at Deborah Rawson Memorial Library.

-- The Underhill Energy Committee: Tom Moore, Irene Linde, Roger Frey, Peter Duval, Shelley Jurkiewicz, Jerry Adams, Bob Murphy.

UPDATED 14 October 2008: The site of Button-Up Day has been changed to Deborah Rawson Memorial Library.