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Dec 21, 2005 6:05 pm US/Eastern
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3 On Your Side: Energy Costs
by Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
There are some ways to help offset the increasing costs of heating your home.
3 On Your Side's Jim Donovan reports.
Many people have problems like Maria Doyle, whose walk-in closet has the feel of an ice box. The cause? A leaky attic entry hatch.
"So much air was being lost through there," Doyle said. "You could just feel the draft when you put your hand up."
Loose covers like the ones in Doyle's home allow heat to escape and cool air to enter.
Rather than attempting to ad insulation, Doyle and her husband tried a product called the Energy Guardian Kit. The kit has covers for things like attic hatches, and creates and air-tight seals.
"This is the single most important source of energy loss in most homes and it is overlooked," said Jim Melesky of ESS Energy Products Inc., which makes the kit. "It is the same thing as having an open window."
The covers are made of high-density polystyrene, which is light yet durable.
Homeowners can have professional installers come out for about $250 to $400, depending on size, to expertly seal cracks and any other openings.
"Everything looks good and tight," said installer Dave Ellison.
The kit comes in two parts – the frame and the lid. The lid weighs less than 10 pounds, and is very easy to open and close – similar to a gigantic cooler.
For more information, visit ESS Energy's Web site, www.essnrg.com.
(© MMV, CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)