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Call Today! 801-292-1935 |
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| The typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills, a large portion of
which is wasted. Fortunately, you can do a lot to save energy and money at home. Energy-efficiency improvements not only make your home more comfortable, they can yield
longer-term financial rewards. Reduced utility bills more than make up for the higher price of
energy-efficient appliances and improvements over their lifetimes. In addition, the
improvements should increase the value of your home.
Since heating and cooling your home account for about half your utility bill, upgrading your
homes insulation and sealing air leaks may be the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste, make your home more comfortable, and get the most of your energy dollars. A comprehensive approach includes a combination
of products and construction techniques that protect a home from outside hot or cold
temperatures, eliminate air leaks, and control moisture. |
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How We Use Energy in Our Homes
Heating accounts for the biggest
chunk of
a typical
utility bill. Source:
2007 Buildings
Energy
Data Book,
Table 4.2.1., 2005
energy cost data. |
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Insulate your home when:
You have an older home and havent added insulation (only 20% of homes
built before 1980 are sufficiently insulated).
You are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot in the summer (adding
insulation creates a more uniform temperature and
increases comfort)
You build a new home, addition,
or install new siding or roofing.
You pay high energy bills.
You are bothered by noise from outside (insulation muffles sound).The
insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and
basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces should
meet the levels recommended for your area.
Insulation is measured in R-valuesthe higher
the R-value, the better your walls and roof will
resist the transfer of heat. DOE recommends
ranges of R-values based on local heating and
cooling costs and climate conditions in
different areas of the nation. State and local
code minimum insulation requirements may be less
than the DOE recommendations, which are based on
cost effectiveness. |
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| Click on the map to check the
recommended insulation levels in your area. |
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BASIC--BATT:
Annual Savings from Proper Insulation: $0
(based on 1500 ft² rambler with $250/mo
utilities)
Batting is a fiberglass blanket that comes in
various densities, widths, and
lengths and is cut to fit the space in framing
of walls and ceilings. It is typically
used in entry-level homes and at less than
optimal levels.
Most common
Lowest cost
Easy to install
R-values from 8 - 38
Noise control for walls, ceilings, and floors
Fire Resistant |
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BETTER--SPRAY CELLULOSE/BLOWN FIBERGLASS
Annual Savings from Proper Insulation:
$600 (20% savings)
(based on 1500 ft² rambler with $250/mo utilities)
Blown-in insulation, using either cellulose or fiberglass, is applied into frame
cavities using compressed air. This application allows the insulation to completely
fill in all nooks and crannies where batt insulation may allow energy loss.
Quick and easy to install in most homes, especially older homes
More completely insulates cracks and spaces
More efficient--higher r-value per inch
Fire retardant
Insect, rodent, and mold deterrent
Great sound barrier
Eco-friendly (cellulose uses up to 80% recycled material) |
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BEST--CLOSED-CELL FOAM
Annual Savings from Proper Insulation:
$1,200 (40% savings)
(based on 1500 ft² rambler with $250/mo utilities)
SPF, Closed-Cell Foam is the most advanced insulation material. The
high-density foam is sprayed onto surfaces and hardens immediately to form a
seamless bond with building components and completely seals the building
envelope to create a structurally sound, uniform, air-infiltration barrier that also
blocks moisture (no mold or rot), bugs, rodents, dirt, allergens, and noise. Foam
is most commonly used in conjunction with batt and/or blown-in insulation to
provide an optimal solution that can save homeowners up to 40% on their energy
bills, ensuring a quick return on the investment and $1,000s in savings.
Most efficient with r-value of 6.0 per inch
Completely seals building envelope from air, moisture, sound, and pests
Increased structural strength
Better indoor air quality
Eco-friendly (VOC-free and zero ozone depletion)
Applied to all construction materials |
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Adding insulation in the areas shown
above may be the best way to improve
your home's energy efficiency. |
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You can save on your heating and cooling bill by reducing the air leaks in your home.
Warm air leaking into your home during the summer and out of your home during the
winter can waste a lot of your energy dollars. In addition to insulation, one of the quickest
dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal, and weatherstrip all seams, cracks, and
openings to the outside.
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Air passes into and out of your home
through
every hole and crack, about
one-third through
openings in your
ceilings, walls, and floors. |
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Moisture
control, in conjunction with ventilation, air
sealing and insulation, is an important
component of creating a healthy, comfortable,
energy efficient home.
The best strategy for controlling moisture in
your home depends on your climate and how
your home is constructed. Moisture control
strategies typically include the following
areas of a home:
Attics
Foundation, including basement, crawl space,
and slab
Walls
In most U.S. climates, vapor barriers or vapor
diffusion retarders should be considered
as part of a moisture control strategy for any
new home. A vapor barrier is a material that
reduces the rate at which water vapor can move
through another material. These are
typically used in basements, ceilings, crawl
spaces, floors, slabs foundations, and walls. |
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When creating
an energy-efficient, airtight home through air
sealing techniques, it's very
important to consider ventilation to control
moisture and avoid sealing in indoor air
pollutants and odors. Contaminants such as
formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds,
and radon can accumulate in poorly ventilated
homes, causing health problems. Excess
moisture in a home can generate high humidity
levels, leading to mold growth and
structural damage to your home.
There are three basic ventilation strategies:
Natural ventilation: Uncontrolled air movement
into a home through cracks and vents,
such as windows and doors. Not recommended since
it doesnt provide adequate
moisture control, uniformity.
Whole-house ventilation: Controlled air
movement using one or more fans and duct
systems.
Spot ventilation: Controlled air movement
using localized exhaust fans to quickly
remove pollutants and moisture at their source.
Typically used in conjunction with one
of the other strategies. |
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