Why Insulation is a Good Investment

Investing in products to make homes more energy efficient pays significant dividends over a lifetime - with none of the wild fluctuations of Wall Street. Insulation contributes to:

• Greater comfort
• Even temperature distribution
• Improved acoustics
• Better moisture control, which can reduce floor squeaks, drywall cracks, structure damage and condensation
• Potential for increased resale value: Installing proper insulation levels can also make your home more attractive to potential buyers. In fact, most buyers list energy-efficiency as a prime consideration. The reason? Buyers know they can buy a more expensive home if heating and cooling bills can be kept down.
• A more environmentally friendly home
• Lower energy bills* Unless your home was constructed with special attention to energy efficiency, adding insulation will probably reduce your utility bills.
• 60% of the existing homes in the United States are not insulated to the best level.
• According toa study done by Harvard University's School of Public Health, 60% of the exising homes are likely to use more energy than newer homes, leading to very high heating and air-conditioning bills.
• Even if you own a new home, adding insulation may save enough money in reduced utility bills to pay for itself within a few years and will continue to save you money for as long as you own the home. Savings may vary. Find out why in the seller's fact sheet on R-values.

Upgrading your insulation can result in substantial savings on your heating and cooling bills.

You can easily compare the energy costs of an average home and an energy-efficient home in your area and calculate how much you can save by making your home more energy efficient.

Try one or both of these online tools:
Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick
Home Energy Saver Calculator