Every step you take gets us closer to 500 community energy actions. Earn a raffle entry and a chance to win great energy-saving prizes for every action you tell us about.
Take 2 minutes and run down our quick checklist of button up action ideas. Tell us how the Chittenden Energy and Climate Committee can help you go further. Taking the quiz counts for an action and raffle entry!
Where does your home guzzle energy or lose heat? Which improvements will give you the biggest bang for your buck? A home energy audit or assessment is a great first step. Assessments can range from short consultations or checklists to full home inspections and weatherization tests that can identify air leaks, insulation gaps, and more.
Efficiency Vermont offers free phone consultations and virtual visits to start, and a directory of providers offering home visits. Rebates and cost-share programs can reduce or cover the cost of an audit and help pay for weatherization supplies and work.
Air leakage can add up to 25-40% of all energy use in typical homes. Feel for drafts or get a blower door test to find leaks from top to bottom—at building seams, around doors and windows. Use a variety of materials to button up, then be sure you have adequate ventilation to keep indoor air healthy and fresh. Find rebates for DIY weatherization supplies and contractor projects at Button Up Vermont.
Apply caulk around windows and doors, floor seams, vents, and any other small air leaks; use spray foam to fill larger gaps
Use foam weatherstripping to seal larger cracks around doors and windows; add rubber or brush "door sweeps" to door bottoms
Add outlet sealers (pre-cut foam rectangles) to outlets and switch plates on exterior walls
Use a draft stopper to block air under doors; buy one, sew your own, or roll up old towels or blankets
Install an attic hatch cover to block heat loss around attic doors
Install a vapor barrier (plastic sheets that stop air and moisture leakage) in basements and crawl spaces
Insulation keeps heat where it belongs—inside in winter and outside in summer. Thick, built-in insulation in walls, foundations, and attics is your best bet to stay snug and warm. Insulating your doors, windows, and hot water system can help conserve heat. There are many ways to add insulation if it's lacking in your home, from major construction projects to free and temporary tricks.
Insulate your attic or living areas above unheated garages; use thick fiberglass rolls, foam blankets, blown-in insulation, or spray foam
Insulate your foundation or basement walls to stop heat loss at ground level; use foam board, spray foam, or other moisture-proof materials
Add insulation to exterior walls to keep heat in; use blown-in or foam insulation for existing walls
Replace old windows and doors with energy-efficient models (look for a high "r-value" and Energy Star certification); don't forget bulkheads and attic hatches
Use storm windows, insulating inserts, honeycomb shades, or even thick curtains and quilts to insulate old windows; volunteer with a Window Dressers team or request custom-made inserts
Insulate your hot water system to save; add a foam "blanket" to the tank and foam or fiberglass covers on hot water pipes