Do you have your heat on full blast during the winter, yet the inside of your house is still freezing? Is you’re air conditioning working overtime in the summer, but all you do is sit in your underwear and sweat? If this sounds familiar, then your home probably isn’t very well insulated. This means you’ll not only be uncomfortable, but you’re also wasting energy and your utility bills will much, much higher than they should be.

There are several parts of a house that should be well insulated if you want to be energy efficient:

Attic

This is the first and most obvious place you need insulation. In fact, a well-insulated attic can cut your energy bill by an estimated 10 to 50 percent. Most of your house’s heat gain and loss comes via the attic. Think of it as a buffer between the outside weather and the living spaces in your house. The insulation, if properly installed, will hold the heat in during the winter and keep the hot air out during the summer months.

There are many types of insulation that can be used, such as fiberglass and fiber insulation. The type you use really depends on your house and the climate you live in. A qualified professional can help you assess your situation and advise you on the best material for your home.

Exterior walls

Because walls make up such a large area of your home, they can also affect your comfort level and energy usage. Walls should also be insulated to keep the cold and heat out, while maintaining a constant temperature on the inside.

Most exterior wall insulation is the simple blown-in type. It’s easy for a contractor to install and fairly inexpensive. However, you can also opt for liquid foam. If you choose this option, you will also need a vapor barrier to protect the insulation from moisture. A vapor barrier is simply a plastic or foil sheet that keeps moisture out of the wall.

Windows

While technically not insulation, they are part of the exterior walls of your house and can have a big impact on how energy efficient your house is. Technology has improved to the point where you can buy extremely efficient windows, with the only caveat that they can be pricey. However, keep in mind that investing in good windows now will save you money on your energy bills later.

Ducts and pipes

If there are areas of your home that aren’t insulated (an unfinished basement, for example), it’s a good idea to have your ducts and pipes insulated.

Because your house’s ductwork is how the air travels from the air conditioner or furnace to the living areas, ducts can lose a lot of hot or cool air if not insulated. This means that when the air leaves your furnace, for example, it’s the right temperature, but then cools down too much before being blown into the rest of the house.

Pipes are the same. In a non-insulated area, pipes can lose efficiency. Further, insulating pipes can also prevent them from freezing during colder weather.

Don’t suffer any longer

There’s no reason to feel uncomfortable because your house can’t retain cold air during the summer. Even if your problem isn’t that extreme, call us and we can inspect your home to see if it’s properly insulated. We can then recommend affordable solutions to help you live in comfort and save money every month.

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