How to Improve Existing Home Insulation
You may think your home is buttoned up tight for the colder months, but yours may be one of an estimated 45 million American homes that have inadequate insulation. Sadly, insulation is one important area that consumers just take on faith that the job is completed properly. Could your home be needlessly costing you hundreds of dollars in energy costs each year?
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Challenging
Instructions
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1
Determine how much insulation your home has and what type it is. This means looking in every accessible space throughout your home, measuring the amount in inches for each area and recording the type that you find (blown-in, fiberglass, etc.) Conduct this energy audit of your home yourself, or call your utility company for more information.
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2
Check on the Department of Energy (DOE) Zip-Code Insulation Program for the proper R-value needed for each area. Your attic may require a different R-value and type of insulation than, say, your basement. The DOE site will instruct you to fill in the amounts that you recorded from your energy audit into their program, so it's important to complete Step 1 first.
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3
Decide how the work will be accomplished. Will you do it yourself, or do you feel more comfortable hiring a contractor for the work?
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4
Reinsulate only the most accessible areas first if you are planning to do the work yourself. Then you can decide whether you want to continue your efforts with a contractor for more difficult areas or tackle them yourself.
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5
Revisit at your insulation requirements especially when remodeling or residing the exterior of your home. It makes sense to follow the guidelines for new home construction if you're going to complete this type of project.
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6
Be an informed customer. Be sure your contractor's estimate or contract includes a thorough description of the work to be completed, the R-value of the insulation to be installed, and a description of the type of insulation.
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7
Ask questions and review the work if possible. Just the knowledge that the homeowner may know a thing or two about insulation may encourage a better job by the contractor.
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Tips & Warnings
Lower your heating and cooling bills by setting your thermostat to a slightly lower temperature at night.
Have your furnace professionally inspected and tuned up annually.
Upgrade your furnace to a high-efficiency model.
Seal all cracks and gaps around windows and doors.
