The Right Insulation Saves Money All Year Long

With a tight economy, many homeowners are looking for ways to cut costs. Heating and cooling costs can be the biggest expenditures in our homes by far. With summer approaching it is still time to think about upgrading the insulation in your home. Adding insulation, along with sealing air leaks, is one of the most cost-effective energy-saving home improvements you can make to an existing home. In fact, just doing this can cut heating and cooling costs by at least 15%, often more.

According to the department of commerce, there is a  basic rule of insulating that is the same for each and every home: "install insulation on any surface separating a heated space from an unheated space—attics, walls, basement walls, floors and crawl spaces".
 
Even if your home already has insulation in these areas, it can be very beneficial in saving on energy costs to add more insulation, especially adding attic insulation. Sealing air leaks around vents, chimneys, wires, and light fixtures should also be done when you add the additional insulation for the best results.

If you think that you are spending too much on energy costs, an energy assessment of your home can be done which should include an insulation inspection which will tell you how much insulation you have and how much more you need. The amount of insulation, which is measured in R-values, and the type of insulation that is best for your home, will vary for every home. The amount you need also depends on:

• how much insulation your home currently has
• the accessibility and space available for the insulation
• the location of the home

The colder weather zones like Boston and Worcester call for higher R-values. For more information on adding insulation to your existing home, contact Custom Insulation.