Encyclopedia

of Home Improvements

*Adding Insulation*

Adding Insulation to an Existing Home

You probably didn't know that the majority of homes built before 1980 are under-insulated. Which means heat can escape through the ceiling, past the roof and into the atmosphere. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adding insulation to the attic is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to help cut heating and cooling costs. And it will make your home more comfortable. As a general rule, if you have less than 16 inches of attic insulation, you probably need more.

It's a simple equation: add insulation to reduce energy usage and increase comfort reduce energy usage and increase comfort. Supplementing the insulation in your crawl space, under floors and against basement walls is a great way to stop the transfer of heat or cold through your house.

Unless your home was constructed with special attention to energy efficiency, adding insulation will probably reduce your utility bills. Much of the existing housing stock in the United States is not insulated to the best level. Older homes are likely to use more energy than newer homes, leading to very high heating and air-conditioning bills. Even if you own a new home, adding insulation may save enough money in reduced utility bills to pay for itself within a few years, continue to save you money for as long as you own the home, and increase the resale value of your house.

Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes. Insulation saves money and our nation's limited energy resources. It can also make your house more comfortable by helping to maintain a uniform temperature throughout the house. Walls, ceilings, and floors will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Insulation can also act as a sound absorber or barrier, keeping noise levels down.

It is possible to add insulation to almost any house. You may be able to do the job yourself if the structural framing is accessible--for instance, in unfinished attics or under the floor over an unheated space. Or, you may prefer to hire an insulation contractor. In either case, it is important to choose and install the insulation correctly.
The amount of energy you conserve will depend on several factors: your local climate; the size, shape, and construction of your house; the living habits of your family; the type and efficiency of the heating and cooling systems; and the fuel you use. Once the energy savings have paid for the installation cost, energy conserved is money saved--and the annual savings will increase if utility rates go up.
A qualified home energy auditor will include an insulation check as a routine part of a whole-house energy audit. An energy audit will also help identify areas of your home that are in need of air sealing (Before you insulate, you should make sure that your home is properly air sealed If you don't want an energy audit, you need to find out the following:

1.Where your home is, isn't, and/or should be insulated

2.What type of insulation you have

3.The R-value and the thickness or depth (inches) of the insulation you have.

If you live in a newer house, you can probably find out this information from the builder. If you live in an older house, you'll need to inspect the insulation yourself if you don't want an energy audit.

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