Weatherization



Weatherization (American English) or weatherproofing (British English) is the practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements, particularly from sunlight, precipitation, and wind, and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency. A house with no weatherization is virtually uninhabitable.

Weatherization is sometimes confused with, but is distinct from, insulation. However, insulation requires weatherization for proper functioning. Many types of insulation can be thought of as weatherization, because they block drafts or protect from cold winds. Whereas insulation primarily reduces conductive heat flow, weatherization primarily reduces convective heat flow.

Weatherizing your home. Why you should care?
Buildings use one third of all energy consumed in the United States and two thirds of all electricity. Additionally, they are a major source of the pollution that causes urban air quality problems and pollutants that contribute to climate change. According to Dr. Richard Haut, Senior Research Scientist with the Houston Advanced Research Center, buildings account for “49 percent of sulfur dioxide emissions, 25 percent of nitrous oxide emissions, and 10 percent of particulate emissions, all of which damage urban air quality.”

Table of Contents

 * /Weatherization Preparation/
 * /Overview of weatherization procedures/
 * /Sealing bypasses/
 * /Water and Freeze Protection/
 * /Ventilation/
 * /Roofs/
 * /Walls/
 * /Installing or replacing doors and windows/
 * /US Weatherization Assistance Program/