Keep the inside of your home cozy with these helpful tips
Wondering how to better insulate your home for the winter weather? Increased comfort, lower heating costs, and better soundproofing are just some of the things homeowners stand to gain by improving their home's insulation. Certain areas—even crevices—can let all your hot air out, especially in older houses. Fortunately, there are many things you can do, even if you're on a budget, to improve the situation.
Here are 10 tips to improve your home's insulation.
How's that old saying go? Oh yeah: work smarter, not harder. Of course, you'll improve your home's energy efficiency by adding insulation—but if you don't know where your home needs the most reinforcement, the task will probably take twice as long.
A professional home energy audit by a local pro will help you understand how much energy your home uses, where you can make improvements, and what you should prioritize if you're on a budget that'll make the biggest difference to your energy bills. The average cost of a home energy assessment is $420, with a range of $207 and $679.
The term 'insulation' covers many materials and strategies used to keep your home warm and energy-efficient. Do research first to understand the different types of insulation and which may be appropriate given your home's needs—and also know that a poorly insulated home may exhibit telltale signs you can look for.
Some popularly used types of home insulation include:
Blanket batts and rolls
Loose-fill insulation
Foam board/rigid foam
Reflected system insulation
Structural insulation panels (SIPs)
If, after researching the different types, you decide that adding new insulation is right for you, a local insulation company can help you understand your options.
Unfinished spaces like your basement and attic are two prime candidates for heat loss. These areas likely lack insulation, so finding the gaps and adding some—even just a caulking agent to seal small holes or crevices—can make a huge difference. Adding new insulation to your home costs about $5,200 on average. But if you're only adding it to one area, the cost may be much less.
For some homeowners, opening up walls is a last-resort option, even if it's clear that the area is losing heat due to poor insulation. If installing new insulation isn't part of your plan, there's still plenty you can do, such as sealing doors and windows, to improve efficiency.
The best ways to insulate doors and windows include:
Adding weatherstripping seals at the base of door or windows
Sealing any obvious gaps using caulk
Installing backer rod, a type of foam rope, into large gaps or crevices
The tighter the seal, the more insulated it'll be, so choose the method that best fits the space. An insulation inspection and repair specialist can probably recommend the right product for you.
According to Energy.gov, 25% to 30% of home heat loss occurs through windows. Thermal curtains, which cost between $50 and $100, can be an easy solution to help prevent heat loss during cold winter months.
Made from thicker cotton or polyester, thermal curtains hold onto heat and prevent it from escaping windows. They're also good for preventing natural sunlight from coming in, which can make sleeping in on cold winter mornings easier.
Perhaps surprisingly, a not-so-insignificant amount of heat loss occurs through your home's electrical outlets. You can seal these with a foam gasket or apply caulk to the edges to add a layer of insulation.
In the northern U.S., wetness is a key cause in reducing home energy efficiency. When moisture creeps into walls containing insulation, it pads it down, making it denser but less effective. Adding a vapor barrier to your insulation can help. Be sure you install it properly, as vapor barriers can exacerbate water damage and mold growth if they aren't laid down tightly over existing insulation.
Putting a barrier over exposed pipes that may drip into walls or floors is also a good idea for preventing moisture from seeping in.
You might be surprised how much a couch covering a vent or radiator can keep the flow of warm air from circulating throughout your space. Locate your vent or heating element in each room and make sure nothing is blocking the air from moving through the home. Furniture and other objects should be at least three to four inches away from vents or radiators to ensure your home is being properly heated.
A smart thermostat can connect to your smart phone or other device so that when a cold front hits unexpectedly, you can quickly change your home’s temperature to make sure it gets enough warm air. That way, you can control your heating from near or far and you won’t have to worry about frozen pipes or icy living conditions when you return home. You can also set timers if temperatures are expected to rise, which can also help you save money on utilities. On average, smart thermostats cost about $130 to $300, depending on the model and types of features.
If you’re renovating or building a new home, you can have thermal insulation installed beneath your flooring, so your toes will never get cold when temperatures drop below freezing. If heated floors are above your budget, you can also double up on rugs so that any exposed flooring gets extra coverage.
If you’re not an experienced DIYer, some winter insulation projects, like installing new insulation, are best left to the pros. An insulation professional will be able to recommend a specific type of insulation for your home and provide an estimate. You can expect to pay anywhere from $0.40 to $6.75 per square foot for new insulation.
If you need to give your HVAC system a tune-up or repair any outstanding issues before winter conditions set in, it’s best to hire a local HVAC technician. These HVAC experts can inspect your system for any warning signs and perform any necessary repairs or maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly all winter long.
Yes, cold walls could indicate that your home has poor insulation, especially if the walls are significantly colder than the air or other areas in the home. In most cases, cold walls are a sign that the heat produced by your furnace isn’t hanging around long enough to make the walls warm. If that’s the case, hire a local HVAC technician to take a closer look at your heating system.
You should not put fiberglass insulation in basements, since fiberglass is known to trap mold and mold is more commonly grown and produced in basements. You should also avoid placing insulation near water heaters, oil burners, or other hot appliances. For more information about the best and worst places to install insulation, consider hiring an insulation professional.
