Heating Your Home for Less
Have you noticed that your house feels a little drafty? No matter how long you have the heat on, does it feels like when the furnace stops, the house gets cold quickly? The problem could be, among other things, the insulation in your home. What people often overlook is that no matter how great your home heating system may be, if your house is not able to retain the warmth it generates, you will feel like you are being left out in the cold, physically and financially.
More modern homes will have more efficient insulation in most cases, but older houses may not meet the standards that builders use today. Insulation should be a factor in your choice of buying or renting a house, because if you cannot afford to add more to a house that needs it, your heating bill will be more than you can handle as well. If completely changing your home heating system is not an option right now, adding more insulation may be the answer to your problem, as well as the right thermostat, proper ventilation, clean ductwork and draft-free windows.
How do you determine if your insulation is adequate? Start by having an inspector from your local energy office complete an energy audit of your home. This will let you know exactly what areas you need to replace or add insulation, and it can also give you an idea of how efficient your home heating system is and what you can expect to pay in utility bills over the next several years.
An inspector may also be able to recommend a few contractors and make suggestions about what type of insulation you should add to your home, how much and where. You may find that there are only a few weak spots throughout the house, or it may be time to add new insulation to the entire structure. Once this is done, you should begin to notice your energy consumption and bills start to decline.
Home insulation quality is measured by what is called an R-Value. The higher that rating is, the better equipped the insulation is to resist the flow of heat, preventing it from leaking from your house. For milder climates, look for home insulation with a rating of R-11 for your walls and floors, but you’ll need R-19 in ceilings below ventilated attics. For moderate climates you’re looking at a minimum of R-19 in the floors and walls and R-30 for ceilings. For very cold climates the floors and walls can go with the same value as in moderate climates, but the ceilings will need at least an R-38, however you could go as high as the high 40s.
There are several different types of insulation, made from everything from recycled paper and wood fibers to glass, wool and cellulosic fibers. Remember that the key to installing home insulation is to place it between heated and unheated places. It then acts as a barrier to trap heat in the areas you need it. Since heat rises, it can easily be lost through uninsulated attics, making this a very good place to start a project like this.
If you choose not to have an audit done, you can find do-it-yourself steps online for evaluating your home’s heating and insulation requirements. However, it is recommended that you let a professional handle this to get the most accurate results. If you have an older home, it’s quite possible that the insulation may have some harmful chemicals or particles, and it is best to let a professional remove the old insulation rather than trying to do it yourself.