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Money Saving Monday: Save On Your Utility Bills

Get A Blower Test To Test For Leaks

POSTED: 3:24 pm MDT May 23, 2005

Wouldn't it be nice to bottle up some of this summer-type heat and use it sometime next winter? Consumer Champ Bill Clarke knows it can't be done but Clarke has the next best suggestion in his Money Saving Monday report.

You've heard the old saying about making hay while the sun shines? How about making your home warm while it's hot outside?

Mike Broussard has turned on a powerful fan. He's taped up the heating vents, closed all the door and he's looking for leaking air.

"We can see wherever the leakage points are throughout the house. It's a feel as you go process," said Broussard. "This place leaked all kinds of air."

Homeowner Ginger Perry was looking for a way to cut the heating bill on her 20-year-old home next winter.

"It's a hot house in summer and a cold house in winter," Perry said.

Broussard's fan, pulling air in through every leaky spot in the house, may offer a solution.

"I feel some leakage coming through the light cans," said Broussard.

And there are plenty of leaks.

The shaking spider webs point to a construction gap on the floor, a common area often overlooked by homeowners trying to seal their homes.

A second fan test shows substantial leaks in the heating system. Cold winter air blows in from the attic to the heating system.

"I was surprised how serious the problems were and how many," said Perry. When he was done, Broussard worked up a computer analysis on what needs to be fixed.

Savings from lower heating bills should pay for the work in, maybe, three to four years.

The blower door test takes a couple of hours and Broussard said it can cut home heating costs as much as 30 percent even more if you've got big problems.

It's going to cost you $200 to $400. Home Performance Solutions did Perry's blower door test. To learn more about them call (720) 985-8455. Check E-Star listings for other energy audit specialists just click here or go to EnergyStar.gov.


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