Increasing energy efficiency reduces your winter bills
A sneaky draft here and there might seem insignificant on its own, but the sum of all the leaks in your home can add up to a large hole like a window being left open. This results in the heat being turned up higher to maintain the temperature, and that’s not energy efficient for your home or your wallet.
Proper insulation of these pesky energy leaks can dramatically cut the costs of heating in the winter (and cooling in the summer). Let’s investigate exactly where the major leaks are located.
Air gaps
From the attic to the basement, there are gaps throughout the house where air can leak from inside to outside–and vice versa. This can result in a significant draft that sucks energy out of your home.
The solution is to seal up these gaps so no air can escape. Here are some of the common techniques:
- Caulk the cracks around windows and electrical piping
- Install draft excluders on doors to seal the crack around the frame
- Cover keyholes, mail slots, and doggy doors with airtight flaps
Windows
Old, leaky windows can be responsible for up to 30% of a home’s energy loss. With the new generation of windows, the advanced construction provides far superior insulation. Double or triple-pane windows contain an inert gas in the spaces between the sealed panes, making them better insulators than single pane versions. Also, the extra glass pane(s) helps reflect light into the home to conserve radiant heat.
Walls
The outer break and inside wall of a home may be solid to the touch, but heat can easily escape through them if there’s only air between them. Packing insulation in this wall space ensures there are no gaps for air to circulate and suck energy from the home.
Attics
Attics are susceptible to drafts due to the many gaps from construction, joints, vents, or electrical piping. It is essential that these be sealed before any insulation is installed. Another concern is mold, so it’s important that the selected material prevent moisture build-up which causes spore growth as well.
Picking the right insulation for the job
Neeeco is equipped with an array of insulation types to seal up the drafts in your home. These include:
- Natural blown-in cellulose is the primary insulation used, naturally sealing in air when packed densely.
- For hard to reach corners, we might apply Polyurethane spray foam to fill in the holes.
- Fiberglass blankets are non-corrosive, flexible, and affordable, making them ideal for insulating large areas.
Start saving with a Mass Save® no-cost home energy assessment
Neeeco’s qualified home energy auditors can virtually inspect your home for energy losses and inefficiencies. After you receive your virtual home energy assessment, we will then offer you no-cost energy saving devices and home improvements such as 75% or more off approved insulation and more with the Mass Save® program. See this list of all the incentives available to you!
Start your savings today. A well-insulated home will help take the sting out of your winter heating bills while keeping you comfortable throughout the year.
Call (781) 514-5882 or contact us to get started with a no-cost Mass Save® home energy assessment.