Is Your Home Under Insulated?
If your home was built before energy costs started to escalate, its insulation levels may now be far below today's recommendations for energy savings and comfort.
As a way to help maximize the energy efficiency of both new and existing homes, we at Green Team Insulation have prepared the following map showing thermal recommendations based on both the U.S. Department of Energy's recommendations and the most recent minimum International Energy Conservation Code levels.
The Energy Information Administration estimates that heating costs will increase up to 30% this year. Harvard University School of Public Health estimates that 45 million U.S. homes are underinsulated by the latest minimum codes. Adding fiber glass or mineral wool insulation is one of the fastest, most effective ways to save energy in your home. Inadequate insulation is one of the main reasons the average American home is wastin between 10 and 50% of its energy each year.
Recommended Areas to Insulate:
- Attics - In most areas of the country, you should have an R-49 in the attic. This likely means adding an R-19 to R-30 layer of insulation to what you already have. Make sure you use fiber glass or mineral wool blown-in or batt insulation without a vapor retarder or kraft paper facing when adding to existing insulation. This modest investment of time and money will help you save on your energy usage and improve your family's comfort for years to come. If you don't want to do it yourself, hire a professional insulation contractor to blow in additional fiber glass or mineral wool insulation.
- Basements - If your basement is not heated and the furnace is not located there, insulate between the joists of the basement ceiling, instead of around the perimeter or exterior walls. This keeps conditioned air in the living areas where it belongs and out of the basement. Use unfaced fiber glass or mineral wool batt insulation which can be supported from below with wire or metal rods if necessary. If the basement is heated or contains the furnace, you need to insulate the basement walls instead. The simplest method is to build 2 x 4 frames against the concrete foundation walls, insulate with fiber glass or mineral wool batt insulation and cover with drywall. If the basement is finished, it is difficult to add insulation without tearing out the walls. Look to other areas of your home for places to add insulation that are easier to access. If the basement walls are damp, consult an expert before insulating.
- Floors - Insulating floors over unconditioned crawlspaces, basements, garages or other areas not only saves on wasted energy but will make rooms more comfortable. You can use faced or unfaced fiber glass or mineral wool batts. Proper placement of vapor retarders and kraft paper facing is critical. Check with your local building department or insulation contractor for guidance. It's best to fill the space, so measure the depth of the floor cavity before you head to the store. You probably need 10 inch thick, R-30 batts to fill the cavity.
- Walls - Most existing homes have some insulation in the walls. But if your home is 30 years old or older, it might not have any. It's best to hire a professional insulation contractor to blow in insulation. Not only will it help reduce heat loss but it will make your home more quiet and comfortable.
- Other Energy Efficiency Steps:
- Seal all accessible ducts to prevent air leakage. Add fiber glass duct wrap to any accessible ducts in unconditioned spaces that lack insulation.
- Conduct a furnace checkup and replace filters monthly.
- Caulk, seal and weatherstrip around windows, doors, outlets, the foundation, and any plumbing or electrical penetration to the outside.
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