Draft Check Ready, aim, save! Locate costly air leaks in your home and discover how you can save money and energy.
Stop money and comfort from leaking out of your home. Discovering where your home s energy efficiency can be improved is a win-win situation. Not only can it help you save energy but it can save you money. By checking out a Draft Check* kit, you ve taken the first step to improve your home s energy efficiency. Now get ready, aim and start locating those leaky gaps and cracks that continually cost you money and comfort. You can use the Draft Check kit to find air leaks and measure temperature variations in the home along areas such as: Windows and doors Attics and basements Electrical outlets and light switches Walls, molding and baseboards * The Draft Check kit includes the Black & Decker Thermal Leak Detector Model TDL100. Xcel Energy and the Draft Check program are not affiliated, associated or endorsed by Black & Decker, Inc. 2
Air leakage and improperly installed insulation can waste 20% or more of the energy used to heat or cool a home. energystar.gov 3
Safety is key. The safety of you and your family is a priority. Please follow the short safety instructions below. Keep the Thermal Leak Detector out of the reach of children. Using the device with your family is a great way to teach them about energy and conservation, but an adult should be the only one responsible for hands-on operation at all times. Safety Instructions*: Do not operate near or around explosive material such as flammable gases, liquids, dust and other potentially hazardous items. Do not replace the battery inform your library and they will replace. Use to measure surface temperature only. Do not use for medical purposes. Do not use the device if it shows any sign of damage. Report any damage to your library when you return the unit. Do not use as a meat thermometer. WARNING: Batteries can explode or leak and cause injury or fire. To reduce your risk, check out the battery warnings and cautions in the manufacturer s manual contained in this kit. * Additional safety instructions can be found in the Black & Decker Thermal Leak Detector manual. 4
In typical homes, common air leaks together can add up to as much air loss as having a window open. energystar.gov 5
Start measuring. 1. Turn on the unit by pressing the ON/OFF button. 2. Set the threshold for temperature change: a. Small change = 1 F (0.5 C) b. Medium change = 5 F (3 C) c. Large change = 10 F (5.5 C) 3. Aim unit near the area you want to scan to set your target reference. 4. Hold unit aimed at target reference until green light appears and a reference temperature appears on screen. Tip: The closer you are to the object you want to measure the more accurate it will be. 5. Slowly scan the unit across object area(s) of interest: Green Red = temperature is hotter Green Blue = temperature is colder 6. Track your results using the worksheet available online. 6
Additional tips and tools. Instructional video learn how to operate the Thermal Leak Detector. Worksheet use to identify common leak locations and track results. Go to xcelenergy.com. Under the Save Money & Energy tab select Energy Saving Tips and click on Draft Check. Tips for most accurate measurements: Hold unit back and at an angle when measuring. Clear surface of any steam, dust or smoke. Place masking tape over shiny or polished surfaces and measure the tape these surfaces tend to give inaccurate readings. 7
What can I do after I ve discovered air leaks in my home? Now that you ve located costly leaks in your home there are two ways to take action. The first we recommend is to schedule a Home Energy Audit. This will give you a detailed assessment by a trained professional and offer solutions to fit your needs. The second is a few quick, do-it-yourself fixes listed below: Weatherstripping Place weatherstripping around movable components such as windows and doors. Caulking Seal gaps or cracks with caulk a wide variety of options are available for both indoor and outdoor use depending on your need. Door Sweeps Replace door sweeps every couple years (or if visibly worn) to seal air leaks and keep rodents and insects outside. Insulation Check insulation levels in the attic, basement (especially crawl spaces) and around air ducts to ensure they are properly insulated. To check for recommended R-levels in your state, go to energy.gov and search for the ZIP-Code Insulation Calculator. Seals & Covers Add foam receptacle sealers to electrical outlets and light switches and use outlet covers to keep drafts at bay especially around the outside perimeter of the home. 8
Average homeowners see 5% 30% energy bill savings after making updates following a home energy assessment. energy.gov Energy bill before Home Energy Assessment Energy bill after Home Energy Assessment 30% lower 5% lower 9
Call in an expert and become even more energy efficient. Not only will a Home Energy Audit identify energy efficiency improvements for your home, but Xcel Energy offers rebates and programs for a lot of those improvements. Rebates vary by state so visit ResponsibleByNature.com to see what rebates are currently available to you. 10
Find energy efficiency opportunities throughout your home, including upgrades to ENERGY STAR certified appliances. Electric outlet LIGHTING Bathroom fan vent Recessed lights Plumbing stack vent HOME ENERGY AUDIT Attic hatch INSULATION Ceiling light fixture Outgoing drafts Incoming drafts Soffit/chase Kitchen fan vent Outdoor faucet Air conditioner Crawl space Dryer vent FURNACE Furnace Water heater WATER HEATER AIR CONDITIONING Home Performance with ENERGY STAR 11
Thank you for participating in the new Draft Check program brought to you by Xcel Energy and your local library. We hope you had fun discovering where you can improve energy efficiency in your home and invite you to share what you discovered by taking a short survey. Your feedback will help ensure the program s continued success and help others learn how they too, can conserve energy. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/z6trzhq Want more ways to improve your home s energy efficiency? Try Power Check. Check out our other energy efficiency program, Power Check, to find energy savings in your appliances and electronic devices. xcelenergy.com 2013 Xcel Energy Inc. Xcel Energy is a registered trademark of Xcel Energy Inc. Northern States Power Company-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy Company. 13-05-433 07/13 12