How to Improve Insulation in a House
As energy costs have risen, so too has concern about the effects of global warming caused by energy use and the burning of fossil fuels. This has led people to look for not only ways to generate electricity cheaply and with less impact to the environment, but also to cut back on their energy use. They are doing this by using more energy-efficient appliances and compact fluorescent lights, as well as turning off devices that are not in use, but one of the best things that you can do to help cut down on your energy costs is to make sure your home is well-insulated. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Inspect your house. Check the insulation in your attic, walls and floors adjacent to an uninsulated area (like your garage). When working around electrical outlets, make sure you turn the power off first. Look at the condition of the insulation, and measure its thickness. Check to see if the area around your windows and doors are drafty. Consider adding insulation to your water heater and hot water pipes if it's not already there.
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Find your R-value. The R-value measures insulation's resistance to heat flow. The higher the number, the better it insulates. You can do this by having an energy audit done, or by going to the Dept. of Energy's ZIP Code Insulation Program at ornl.gov/sci/roofs%2bwalls/insulation/ins_16.html.
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Decide if you'll do the job yourself
Some types of insulation are relatively easy to handle (such as the roll-out kind), and are best used in areas that are easily accessible. If you're not comfortable doing the job yourself, hire a contractor.
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Shop around. If you don't know a good contractor, shop around to find one. Get estimates from several different contractors, and check them out with the Better Business Bureau to see if other people have had problems with them.
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Educate yourself. Use the power of the Internet, as well as your local hardware store, to learn about insulating your house. You could find that you'll save yourself a good amount of money by doing the job yourself. If you have to hire a contractor, you'll know what questions to ask him and be better able to tell that he did a competent job on your house.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can afford it, consider upgrading the heating and cooling systems in your home. This can save you a lot of money long-term. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to cut down on energy costs. If this can't be done, turn the heat down at night and when you're out during the day and turn the AC up at those times. Use strategic landscaping around your home. Trees can provide shade to your home during the hot summer months, helping to keep it cool, while they shed their leaves in the winter, allowing the sun to warm up your house. Trees and shrubs can act as buffers against the wind blowing against your house.
A lot of insulation is fiberglass-based, so make sure that you're properly attired. Wear safety goggles and a mask, as well as not leaving any skin exposed to it.
