Improve Insulation and Seal Air Leaks to Lower Your Utility Bills

Winter has well and truly set in, meaning that our heaters and fireplaces are working overtime to keep our homes comfortable.

Before you reach for that extra blanket and turn up the heater, make sure your home has been adequately prepared for the colder weather. If not, you will watch your money fly out the door - literally.

Air leakage and inadequate insulation are two of the most common causes for inefficient heating and cooling in American homes. Air leakage accounts for 15−25% of winter heat loss in the typical home. Meanwhile research conducted by the Department of Energy revealed that heating and cooling makes up 48% of total energy use.

The impact on your utility bills can be enormous, as appliances use excessive energy to account for the lost heat.

But these two simple tricks can help maintain a consistent temperature in your home this winter and save you money along the way.

Air Sealing

As you might expect, heating and cooling is the largest energy expense for most US homes.

Yet most homes experience air leakage - the process where outside air enters and conditioned air exits your home. Reducing and/or eliminating those leaks means your home can maintain a consistent temperature, which in turn helps you save money on heating and cooling costs.

Air typically leaks through:

• unsealed or poorly sealed doors and windows
• poorly designed or omission of airlocks
• unsealed vents, skylights and exhaust fans
• gaps in or around ceiling insulation and around ceiling penetrations (e.g. downlights, pipes and cables)
• gaps around wall penetrations (e.g. pipes, conduits, power outlets, switches, air conditioners and heaters)
• gaps between envelope element junctions (e.g. floor−wall or wall−ceiling)
• poorly fitted or shrunken floorboards.

How can you fix it?

Caulking and weatherstripping are two of the more common ways to ‘air seal’ your home, and can deliver a return on your investment in as little as a year.

• Weatherstripping: This is the process of sealing the openings around doors and windows to prevent air from entering and escaping. This can include any material that helps block air flow, including foam, vinyl, felt and tape.
• Caulking: Caulk is a multipurpose substance that seals air leaks created by gaps, cracks and joints. Ideal for sealing cracks less than 1-quarter-inch wide, it’s a common product found at every hardware store and its quick and easy to apply.

Insulation

Insulation works to inhibit the transfer of heat. In winter it prevents cold air from outdoors penetrating the inside of your house. Conversely, during summer, insulation helps trap cool, conditioned air inside the home while resisting the heat from outdoors. It is one of the most important features of any energy efficient home.

There are four standard types of insulation used in residential buildings and our In-Home Consultants can discuss with you which type is best for your home:

• Blanket insulation: Filled with mineral fibers, including rockwool and fiberglass
• Polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam insulation: Sprayed into the crevices and cavities of a home by a professional installer
• Loose fill insulation: Consisting of cellulose, rockwool and/or fiberglass, contained in pellets or fibers and installed with pneumatic tools
• Rigid insulation: Typically packaged in boards or pip fittings and is typically used to insulate wall sheaths and foundations.

Want to know more about how properly insulating your home can save you energy dollars not only in the winter but also in the summer months? Download our Air Sealing and Insulation Ebook and discover how Windows on Washington can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.