Everyone knows that home insulation provides warmth for your home, and some know that it can provide huge energey savings, but still most homeowners have questions about it. How do you know if you need more insulation? What can you do to improve it—without tearing your home apart? Is the initial cost worth it for the savings? Does it increase the value of your home on resale?
The first thing to know is that for homes built before the 1970s, insulation was not a high priority in construction. Even in the last few years building codes have changed and minimum R-Values are going up. Older homes can benefit from adding insulation as well as filling the window and door gaps that naturally occur as the house settles over time. The good news is it’s easy to improve your home’s energy efficiency, no matter what its age.
Start at the Top:
One of the first places to insulate is the attic. You can add loose-fill or batt insulation easily and cost-effectively. Just remember that if you think you may have vermiculite insulation, don’t disturb it—it may contain asbestos, so call a professional.
Fill the Spaces in the Walls:
For your walls, you can simply blow loose insulation directly into the wall. It’s fast and you’ll only have to patch the wall afterwards, rather than replace the entire surface. On the other hand, if you’re remodeling, you may have open walls and an opportunity to choose from many insulation options including blankets, rolls, rigid insulation and others.
Go Beyond the Walls:
Many homeowners see savings from insulating electrical outlets, crawlspaces and doors. A rule of thumb is: a 1/8" space between a standard exterior door and the threshold is equivalent to a two square inch hole in the wall. Realigning your doors and replacing the door sweep are easy fixes.
Consider Replacing Windows:
Weather-stripping your windows can reduce energy loss. However, up to 50% of a home’s heating and cooling needs results from heat gain and loss through windows, so actually replacing your old windows may provide the most savings. Replacing and upgrading your windows will also add great value to your home. Keep the receipts and warranty documents.
Insulation Adds Up to Big Savings:
When you insulate, not only do you start saving money on your energy bills. That and added value to your home at resale make it a no brainer if you're contemplating updating. In the past the government has also provided financial benefits to homeowners who make their home more energy efficient. That has currently halted but perhaps they will again.
Improvements like adding insulation can often add large amounts to the resale value of your home. Potential buyers will want to know all about the updates. Try to hold onto some of your receipts. Even if you’re not quite ready to move yet, you can still enjoy a cost savings and a comfortable home. If you're thinking of selling your home, give me a quick email and we can discuss how we can put in a few updates and get you some higher sale prices for your home! amiller@kwottawa.ca
