Custom Insulation Blog

Making your home perfectly energy efficient can be challenging unless you’re building a custom home right now. Your best bet to energy efficiency now is tightening up the building’s envelope: caulking and weather stripping, more insulation, and better windows and doors.

Plugging air leaks and topping up insulation can save over $400 a year, according to energy provider Direct Energy. Upgrading insulation in a 1,200-square-foot attic saves enough money in energy savings to make up for the cost of the project.

For insulation, anything less than R12 in the walls and basement, R20 for exposed floors and cathedral ceilings and R40 in the attic should be upgraded. Going from R10 to R20 gives you the biggest boost: it’s the first few inches that are most important.

Adding rigid Styrofoam to the outside walls can bridge thermal gaps, which are heat leaks where the fiberglass insulation stops at the studs, although you may need to remove the exterior siding to do so.

For free quote for replacing insulation in your home, contact Custom Insulation.

Retrofitting an existing home to be more energy efficient is an effective way to save energy and reduce the cost of homeownership. Retrofitting includes a variety of projects from replacing old light bulbs to installing new insulation. Practical home improvement has become popular among savvy homeowners looking to save.

According to the US Department of Energy, 80 percent of homes built before 1980 were built with insufficient insulation. Old dishwashers waste up to 6,700 gallons of water per year — enough water to run an efficient dishwasher for seven years. Replacing old, single-pane windows can save a homeowner hundreds on energy bills.

Retrofitting an existing home to make it more green and an energy efficient structure is easier than some homeowners might realize. Some tips for homeowners looking to make their home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly are:

•Windows — Energy efficient windows are better insulated, allowing a home to stay cooler in summer and warmer in winter. If homeowners are not able to replace their home’s windows, closing cracks and seals with caulk to reduce air leakage is a great alternative.

•Insulation — According to the US Department of Energy, more than 50 percent of the energy used is for heating and cooling the air. Energy usage for heating and cooling is high because conditioned air often escapes through poorly insulated walls and attics creating a never-ending cycle of circulating air. Updating a home’s insulation may allow homeowners to retain conditioned air and spend less to keep the home comfortable. Homeowners can receive up to $500 in tax credit for updating insulation in 2011.

•Doors — Old or improperly sealed doors can significantly affect a home’s energy efficiency by allowing conditioned air to easily escape. Installing a new door can provide more effective insulation than older ones.
•Programmable thermostat — The US Department of Energy reports that homeowners can save roughly 10 percent on heating and cooling bills by turning their thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day.

Original Article - News Telegram