Bundle Up Your Home to Protect Against the Cold
11-09-2021
Nights are getting longer, days are getting colder and wearing a warm sweater or jacket is becoming essential. For those who are discovering — or have forgotten — how cold their homes can become at this time of the year, we’re here to help.
One of the most effective ways to save money on heating costs and improve the comfort of your home during cooler temperatures is with fiberglass insulation.
Keep the heat inside
Like a warm jacket, insulation helps keep the warm air in, and keep cold air out. One of the most cost-effective ways to save money on heating bills is by adding attic insulation. With up to 25 percent of your home’s heat lost through the attic, you want to make sure yours is properly insulated.According to EnergyStar.gov, nine out of 10 homes across America are under insulated, leading to wasted money on heating and cooling bills and decreased home comfort.
Do you need more attic insulation?
The first step to energy and costs savings is measuring your attic’s insulation. Use a tape measure to see how deep the current, if any, insulation is on your attic floor (see illustration below). State and local codes will dictate how much insulation you should have.Quick tip: if you can see your attic floor joists, you probably don’t have enough insulation.
Winterize your home by sealing up leaks
Attic insulation isn’t the only way to keep your home protected from the cold. Filling voids and cracks where air can leak into or out of your home can increase home comfort, save money on heating and energy costs, and make for a healthier indoor environment by stopping pollutants from entering your home. Common gaps are around ducts, recessed lighting, electrical boxes, and top plate seams in the attic. But every house is different, so we recommend hiring a qualified energy auditor to test your house to tell you exactly where your house is leaking — and where air sealing is needed.
Take advantage of tax credits & incentives
While weatherizing your home will help keep you healthy and save you money over time, there is the upfront cost to consider. To help make your insulation project more affordable, a 10% Federal Tax Credit (up to $500) is available to homeowners before December 31, 2021. Your insulation improvements may also qualify for state or utility company-based incentives. For a comprehensive list of federal, state and local utility incentives, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE).Lose the chills and save on bills
The average U.S. household spends about $2,060 per year on household energy costs and can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation, according to EnergyStar.gov.Installing Knauf EcoFill Blown-in Insulation is a weekend DIY project that can save you up to home’s energy bills for the lifetime of the home.
Here’s a step-by-step how to video:
Benefits beyond your wallet
Not only will attic insulation and air sealing help you save on your monthly energy costs and keep you comfortable, you can also feel good about:- Improved indoor air quality— less pollen, dust and pests entering the home
- Reduced noise from outside
- Boost home re-sale value
- Less energy waste = better for the environment
No matter what the weather looks like, comfort in your living spaces starts in the attic. Bundling up your home with proper insulation and air sealing is crucial to keeping your heat inside your home and achieving a healthy, energy-efficient home no matter the season.