Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford: Energy Efficiency

Home improvement guru Danny Lipford, host of Today's Homeowner, tackles the subject of energy efficiency in this brief (15-minute) program designed to help viewers “seal the envelope” and reduce heat loss in their homes (and, by extension, lower related bills). Lipford takes viewers around the exterior of the home, pointing out where either caulking or expandable foam can be used to fill in cracks and gaps in siding and around window casements. Inside, Lipford suggests applying window film, adding a draft-reducing sweep to the bottom of doors, using insulating pads under electrical outlets and light switch faceplates, investing in good attic insulation (this section features a helpful but also unquestionably commercial explanation from an Owens Corning sales rep), using a water heater blanket and electric timer for same, upgrading to a more fully-featured thermostat, and using fluorescent lights. Although Lipford is an amiable host and offers a handful of rapid-fire tips here, some of these projects—such as the window film and thermostat replacement—are a little trickier than he suggests, and no mention is made of a wide variety of subjects that viewers might expect to find in a program on energy efficiency in the home (gas vs. electric, cooling options for summer, what to look for in appliances, etc.). DVD extras include three completely unrelated (and therefore somewhat pointless) short bonus clips (on mulching, making a soil sieve, and a product plug for a Dremel cordless tool). Other titles in the 71-part series include Maximizing Storage, Lighting, Foundation Repair, Den Addition, and Garage Conversion. Given the fact that 30-90 minute do-it-yourself homeowner titles are available for half the price, this too-succinct overview is an optional purchase. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)