Home Insulation Tips to Save You Money

High heating bills are something all of us have become accustom to. As the prices of heating gases and oil go up, homeowners pay more and more to keep their homes comfortable. Some of the price increases can be offset by increasing home insulation. Most homeowners can save 25% or more on home heating costs by making a few home improvements!

Older homes typically need a denver insulation upgrade much more frequently than newer builds. It is a mistake, though to assume that your newer home is as well-insulated as possible. Many homes built after 1980 have inferior insulation ratings because building codes are not up-to-date with DOE recommendations. Also, occasionally home-builders do try to save money on little things like insulation to lower build costs.

 

The following are simple and inexpensive steps you can take to lower your heating costs this winter:

• Increase Attic Insulation. The attic is a big source of home heat loss and is one of the easiest places to access. If your attic doesn't not have a foot of insulation, you can lay rolls of insulation on top of existing insulation. A well insulated attic is cold. If you see ice dangling from the eaves of your home it means that your attic is too warm and the inside temperature is melting snow on the roof causing water runoff.
• Use Expansion Foam for Small Spaces. Expansion foam insulation is great when you need to fill small openings that are letting heat escape. Areas that benefit from expansion foam include space behind electric switch plates, openings where plumbing pipes enter the house, and the small openings that are used to run electricity, cable and internet lines. These little spaces can add up to a huge amount of heat loss. 
• Use Curtains and Blinds.This is one of the easiest improvements that can significantly reduce heat loss through windows. Curtains and blinds can be closed tightly at night to trap cold air and opened during the day to allow for warm sunlight to warm the home. The thicker your curtains the more effective insulating properties it offers.
• Insulate Basements and Crawlspaces. It's easy to forget about the spaces beneath your home however, it is important to keep them well insulated. Paper-faced insulation should be used on exposed ceiling joists in unfinished crawlspace insulation projects. You can stuff insulation into any open crevices at the juncture of basement walls and the ceiling. You can also pump some expansion foam into any small openings you locate in the foundation. 

These are tips on insulation Denver CO homeowners can easily take on. They will save you a ton of money on home heating bills. Start a project this weekend and watch your bills plummet.