Chronicles of Climate Action: A Leaky Situation

The Robinson Household was a member of team "Just Chillin’” in Season Three of our Home Energy Challenge. David took matters into his own hands and went DIY on his 1973 townhome. Read this and other success stories of climate action chronicled every Friday from now through mid-October!

Energy inefficiency can be a real problem in any home, but older homes that haven’t been properly maintained are the most susceptible to energy waste.

David Robinson of the “Just Chillin’” team took on one of these homes with the purchase of his 1973, 1,800 square foot townhouse in the Stonehenge community. David lent a critical eye to his situation, rolled up his sleeves, and accomplished a series of DIY projects to take this home from a leaky mess to a utility saver. This included both energy and water efficiency improvement projects.

To reduce water waste, David replaced a leaky faucet in the kitchen and two leaky toilet flaps. To reduce heating and cooling losses from his home, David caulked around leaky window trim and panes, replaced a door threshold, added weather-stripping to tops and sides of outer doorways, and adjusted storm doors to properly close. He brought in Weatherseal, a residential and commercial insulation company, to install spray foam around a basement door, foundation, attic, and second floor overhang. This was a fairly quick and inexpensive service so David recommends finding all potential leaks, especially in exterior walls, prior to their visit.

Energy efficiency improvements were rounded out with a programmable thermostat and the installation of pipe insulation on hot water lines in the basement. Utility cost reductions have been hard to measure as David has only been in the house since September. But a more comfortable indoor temperature of the home was  noticed immediately!

Next up for him, windows this fall before the winter cold arrives. What a DIY inspiration. I’m already planning my next trip to Lowes!

For more success stories, read about the Dellimore Household, Purdue Household , the McElwain Household, and the Wong Household. And if you or someone you know is interested in joining the Home Energy Challenge, contact andrea@theclimatecollaborative.org.