Simple Tips For Big Savings Onn Energy Bills (NAPSA)—Astemperatures outside change, air conditioners and heaters begin churning to keep up. It may be shocking to learn how much energy is wasted in the process. The culprit? Leaky gaps and cracks that allow air to enter and escape the home. Combined, they can amount to a four-by-four foot hole in the side of a home, [Sa perhaps thousands of dollars in wasted energy expenditures. moisture damage. After the gaps and cracks have which translates into hundreds, or The makers of Great Stuff, the leading insulating foam sealant, offers tips to help reduce energy costs. First, check for gaps and cracks on each level of your house, including the attic. Check outside for places where air can enter or escape the home. Look under sink areas and check where utilities enter. Keep notes on where you see cracks that need filling and their size. Once you have mapped outall of the gaps and cracks in the home, head to a home improvement center to select the product best suited to fill these costly leaks. Foam sealant has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to seal up these problem areas. Caulking, fiberglass chinking and spackling can partially fill these voids, but do little or nothing to insulate the gap or crack, thereby leaving the problem half solved. Foam sealants, when applied properly, expand to fill the entire cavity providing the highest insulation value on the market. Foam is also waterproof, further protecting the area from been filled, wait 24 hours and check your work. Some voids will require a second coat depending on the size of the gap or crack. In most cases, however, a few sec- onds of foaming will do the trick and will last for years with the same insulating power as the day it was installed. After the foam has set for 24 hours, all areas should be air- sealed and cured. Unlike caulk, fiberglass chinking and spackle, foam can be shaped and trimmed to fit the area where the void was once. Foam sealants can also be sanded, painted and stained for a more appealing look if you're sealing in a visible place. Foam used outdoors should always be painted or coated for protection. Filling voids around the home is an easy, cost-effective way to save on your energy bills. They take minutes to install and require no special tools to dis- pense. For more information on foam sealant usage, go to www.dowgreatstuff.com or call 1800-800-FOAM (3626).
