The Perfect Series · Book 45
The Perfect Efficient Home
Lower Bills, Fewer Drafts and a Home That Runs Calmly
Small habits and a few smart fixes can add up, month after month. This is a plain, honest guide for residents and owners who want to waste less energy and water and keep bills easier to live with. We never promise a savings number, because every home, climate and rate is different. What we can promise is practical ideas that respect your comfort and your budget.
$4.99ebook, PDF and EPUB
Where to start
- Bills feel too high?
Start with the draft and leak finder below, then Chapter 1 on where the energy and water go.
- Renting?
Chapter 2 shows which habits are yours and which upgrades belong to the owner, and why to ask in writing first.
- A bill is hard to pay?
Chapter 9 explains how to read the bill and where to look for help before you fall behind.
What you get
- Where the Energy and Water Go
- Who Can Do What in a Rental
- Heating, Cooling and the Thermostat
- Drafts, Windows and Insulation
- Water Use and Hidden Leaks
- Hot Water
- Lighting, Appliances and Plug Loads
- Owner Upgrades Worth Weighing
- Reading the Bill and Finding Help
- A Simple Yearly Efficiency Plan
Also inside
- A checklist at the end of every chapter
- Worksheet: efficiency wish list
- Worksheet: draft and leak finder
- Worksheet: utility use tracker
- Worksheet: yearly efficiency plan
- Helpful resources to check the programs where you live
Chapter 4. Drafts, Windows and Insulation
Air leaking in and out of a home wastes energy in every season. Many drafts are small and easy to fix.
Where Drafts Hide
- Around doors and windows.
- Around outlets and switches on outside walls.
- Where pipes and wires enter the home.
- Around attic hatches and basement doors.
- Under exterior doors with worn sweeps.
Simple Fixes
Door sweeps, weatherstripping, caulk and outlet gaskets are low cost fixes. Removable draft stoppers are usually fine for residents. Caulking, weatherstripping and anything attached to the home are usually for the owner, or for the resident only with written permission.
Windows
In winter, removable window insulation film or heavy curtains can help with old windows, with the owner’s okay. Report broken seals, cracked panes and windows that will not lock or close fully.
Insulation
Attic and wall insulation belong to the owner and trained pros. Residents should never enter attics or crawl spaces.
Bunkly’s field tipSlip a dollar bill in a closed door or window and pull. If it slides out easily, the seal is not tight. Report it to the owner.
This is a short sample from The Perfect Efficient Home. The full book has all 10 chapters, a checklist for every chapter and the worksheets.
Your draft and leak finder
This is the draft and leak finder worksheet from the book. Walk through the home and tick each spot as you check it. These are examples; add any spot that fits your home, and share what you find with the owner.
Every spot is checked. Write down what you found and share the list with the owner.
Three quick questions
See how much you already know. Each answer comes straight from the book.
Keep the whole book handy
Ten short chapters, a checklist at the end of each one, and four worksheets to find drafts, track your use and plan the year.
$4.99
Get the book, $4.99You will finish checkout on our book store page. Your copy downloads as a PDF and an EPUB.
Guides that go with this book
This book shares general educational information and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Savings depend on the home, the weather, the equipment and local rates. Rules about who pays utilities and about rebates differ from state to state and city to city. Please check the official rules where your home is, and use licensed professionals for electrical, gas, plumbing and heating work.