Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Stop the Leaks! Who's With Me?

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With the rising costs of heating fuel (natural gas in our case) AND concerns about dependence on fossil fuels (both domestic and foreign), we need to do do something this year. Here at Tiny Old House, we plan on spending the next month "stopping the leaks" in our house to save both money and help the environment. Get ready winter, because here we come!

On this blog, I'll focus on a few projects each week that will help improve energy efficiency and keep the chill away; some will be old and some brand new. With our house exterior and windows newly exposed to the elements, we have a LOT of work to do, too. Windows to caulk and seal, storms to replace, doors and windows to weatherstrip, and more!

I'm challenging each one of you to join me; projects are always more fun as a group. We learn so much from each other, too. I'll post links to the "challengees" in my sidebar under the challenge button so you can find others who are working towards the same goals; also, I'll post weekly "round ups" on Sundays for successes and failures, new ideas and finished projects. Come join us... it'll be fun!

To join, leave a comment below! If you'd like the nifty little challenge button I created, copy this code into your blog:

<a href="http://tinyoldhouse.blogspot.com/2008/09/stop-leaks-whos-with-me.html"></a><a href="http://tinyoldhouse.blogspot.com/2008/09/stop-leaks-whos-with-me.html"><img src="http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j211/jennifermollyandkirby/P3220136-1.jpg" /></a>

17 comments:

ROXY said...

You're so good Jennifer:) I'm glad to hear someone was productive this weekend:) PS things are looking great over at Tiny Old House!! Keep up the good work:)

Robj98168 said...

Jennifer- I will join you! LOL I warmed my cold body with your black bean soup. Now it is time to warm the house.

Heather said...

My husband and I are with you. :) We just bought a foreclosure home which is in desperate need of some love and fixes. I found your site back when we were waiting for the sale to close and looking at environmental ways to improve the home. Been enjoying seeing your progress!

Anonymous said...

I'm in! I think my new windows and doors will help, but I've still got some old ones and more I can do.

Jayne said...

I'm with you! I'd planned to repair my storm windows anyway and add insulation to the exterior walls. It'll be more fun with some encouragement and advice from you!

Jennifer said...

Thanks all for joining me!

Roxy~ Did you want to join? I put you up there for now; let me know if you want "erase". :)

Connie said...

I came over from Rob's blog.


I think I'm in but I'm not quite sure what needs done here. The house is in pretty good shape except the roof and we havn't got the funds to fix a roof - unless the challenge comes with financing! ;-)

Cute house, BTW and such a project.

Jennifer said...

Verde~ Thanks for joining! We don't have financing here, either! :) I have lots of ideas for preventing heat loss this winter that don't cost a lot or involve lots of construction (though I'll be doing that, too!). It'll be fun to see what others are doing, too!

Robj98168 said...

Hey I found a couple of videos on the you tube on sealing and insulating your windows. I put them up on my blog Even if you live in an apartment you can put on a window seal.

Perry Degener said...

It is refreshing to see someone who appreciates that the smaller scale of a renovation often provides an inverse proportion of satisfaction.

NV said...

Awesome idea! i've been on this quest for a few years now.

We replaced our roof (actually, State Farm did after the 2006 summer storm), bought new storm doors, have a new water heater, and go caulk-happy this time every year. We aslo have both shutter and shades on all of our windows. (We NEED new windows. Future ...)

good for you for pushing this movement. Winter heating bills are outrageous enough. I shudder to think what ours would be like without the strides we've made in the past 2 years or so.

Ranty said...

We were definitely thinking the same thing over here at The Healy House! Our place leaked like a sieve last winter (our first,) and we have a LOT to do to change that before this next winter comes.

So count us in.

I love the button too. :-)

Sarah said...

Is it too late to join?

We're trying our hardest to get what we can done before Winter.
Love the idea!

Jennifer said...

Sarah~ Not too late at all! Welcome!

Anonymous said...

I'm in. I have to install a window and replace several muntins. I have to do a bunch of things, actually... I have to work on the floor first (because I currently see the basement through the livingroom - HEY that will stop a draft, does that count?
I'm also currently using 1/4" plywood in place of another window - I'm sure that could be improved, LOL!

nkjvcjs said...

Sure. We are in. Our house needs it desperately.

sarah said...

We're in too - especially now that Operation Storm Windows is well underway.