How to Better Insulate Your Home

Properly insulating your home can save money and energy.

Better insulating your home can help your wallet and the environment. By installing insulation materials in the roof, floors, walls, doors and windows of your home that separate your living space from the outdoors, you will lower your utilities bills and better maintain a stable temperature in your home. Though the installation of insulation in every area that is able to be insulated is not realistic, it is possible to insulate elements of your home one at a time.

Things You'll Need

• Double-paned windows
• Storm doors
• Rolled fiberglass insulation
• Cellulose insulation
• Cellulose insulation blower
• Hammer
• Nails
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Caulk

Instructions

1. Install double-paned windows throughout your house and keep them locked during extreme temperature conditions. You can also apply insulating plastic shrink wrap, as well as rolled up towels, to seal the edges of your windows during the winter. Be sure to caulk the windows where they meet the house on the exterior of your home.

2. Install storm doors to the exterior of each door with outdoor access and use air blockers to seal any gap at the bottom of doors with outdoor access.

3. Install rolled fiberglass insulation into the uppermost ceiling in your house. This is typically located in an attic or crawlspace above the top floor of your home.

4. Install rolled fiberglass insulation into the ceiling of your basement if your basement is not part of the heating or cooling area of your house.

5. Hire professionals to blow cellulose insulation into the exterior-facing walls of your home. You can avoid this process if you install rolled insulation whenever you replace your interior walls.

6. Attach aluminum or vinyl siding to the exterior walls of your home. This will prevent the absorption of water by the exterior walls.

References

• Department of Energy: Insulation Fact Sheet

Resources

• Simply Insulate