With winter right around the corner, it is especially important to make sure that your home is as energy efficienct as it can be. While there are many things that you can do to give your efficiency a boost, one of the most effective is to insulate areas where cold air commonly leaks in.
Here are three places to which you should add insulation, so that you can maximize your energy efficiency and savings, and perhaps even qualify for a federal tax credit.
Attic
Loose-fill insulation is the best for your attic. This is typically made of small fiber particles, and it can conform to any space. It typically is blown, with specialized equipment, into spaces in your attic.
Before insulating your attic, there are some steps that you should take to make sure that it will be as effective as possible:
- Seal all spots through which your attic leaks air into your home (cover openings, wiring holes, around the hatch, etc.)
- Repair any leaks in your roof
- Install proper weatherproofing
Foundation
This can include your basement or crawlspaces. For your basement, there are a number of options for you to consider. You can insulate the basement ceiling or the walls, and you also have to choose whether to insulate the interior or exterior of the building. You should review the advantages and disadvantages of all of your options, and discuss it with an HVAC expert before you make your final decision. Additionally, insulating crawlspaces helps you build an even stronger shield from the outside air that can affect your home’s temperature and energy efficiency.
Ductwork
Since most ducts are made from a very thin metal, heat can easily be conducted through them. This means that during the more extreme months of winter and summer, the temperature of the air within your ducts can change by as much as 30 percent before it makes it to your supply vents. Adding a small amount of insulation around your ducts will prevent this from occurring.
To learn more about insulation strategies, and how they can help you be more energy efficient and save money, contact Marsh Heating & Air Conditioningtoday. We have proudly served residential and commercial customers in the Twin Cities metro area since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about insulation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!