Ask The Expert February 2025

Tips for Comfort and Energy Savings

            As winter approaches, one of the best ways to prepare your home is to ensure it is properly insulated. Insulation helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, reduces heating costs, and keeps your home more comfortable during cold weather.

Key Areas to Insulate

            Attic Insulation.  Have you ever looked up and noticed that some homes still have snow on the roof while others don't. Well, there could be many factors but if they both face the sun the same way it is most likely one home is losing heat through the attic.  Hot air rises, so a poorly insulated attic allows heat to escape through the roof, causing your heating system to work harder. Insulating the attic floor with fiberglass or spray foam insulation can help keep the warm air inside. If you already have insulation, ensure its evenly distributed and check for any gaps or compression.

            Insulating the walls of your home is essential for both winter and summer comfort. If your home has cavities in the walls (e.g., older homes), you may consider adding blown-in insulation. This is a great option for those who don’t want to tear down drywall. Insulating wall cavities with fiberglass batts, cellulose, or foam can dramatically improve your home’s energy efficiency.  Adding a siding with insulation is another good way to increase the value and energy savings of your home.

            Drafty windows and doors are major culprits when it comes to heat loss. Install weatherstripping or caulk around windows and doors to prevent cold air from entering. Consider investing in energy-efficient windows that have a higher R-value (a measure of thermal resistance). You can also add window insulation film for an extra layer of protection. If your budget allows, replacing old windows with double-glazed ones will improve your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.

            Floors, especially over unheated spaces like basements or crawl spaces, can be a significant source of heat loss. Insulating these floors with fiberglass batt or foam board insulation can help keep the cold from seeping into the living areas above. For a more DIY approach, laying down thick carpets or rugs can provide an added layer of warmth.

            Basement and Crawl Spaces Unfinished basements and crawl spaces often let in cold air, reducing the effectiveness of your home’s insulation. Insulating the perimeter walls and floors of these spaces with foam board or fiberglass batt insulation can help prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.

            Pipes and Ducts Cold water pipes can freeze in the winter, leading to costly repairs and disruptions. Insulate exposed pipes with foam pipe insulation, especially those in unheated areas like basements and crawl spaces. Additionally, sealing air leaks in ducts and insulating them can improve your home's heating efficiency.

Additional Tips for Winterizing Your Home

            Seal Gaps and Cracks: Walk around your home and look for gaps or cracks where cold air might enter. Use caulk or spray foam to seal any small holes around windows, doors, or pipes.

            Check the Fireplace: If you have a fireplace, ensure the damper is properly sealed when not in use. A fireplace can act as a chimney for warm air if it isn’t sealed tightly.

            Add Insulation to the Garage: If your garage is attached to your home, consider adding insulation to its walls and ceiling. This can help prevent heat from escaping into the garage and keep your living spaces warmer.

Benefits of Proper Insulation

            Energy Savings: Proper insulation can cut your heating costs by as much as 30%. By reducing heat loss, your furnace or heating system doesn’t have to work as hard, leading to lower energy bills.

            Increased Comfort: Insulation ensures that warm air stays inside your home, making it more comfortable during the cold months. This also reduces the occurrence of cold drafts that can make your living spaces uncomfortable.

            By using less energy to heat your home, you’re contributing to a lower carbon footprint. Proper insulation can reduce the overall energy demand, benefiting the environment.

            Insulation helps to regulate indoor air temperature and humidity, reducing the likelihood of mold growth or condensation, which can affect air quality.

            Proper insulation is one of the most effective ways to prepare your home for the winter season. By focusing on key areas such as the attic, walls, windows, and floors, you can ensure that your home stays warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient throughout the colder months. Not only will this help lower your heating costs, but it will also improve your home’s overall performance and sustainability. Make sure to inspect and upgrade your insulation before winter sets in for maximum comfort and savings.