Living in New England it can feel like we will never be able to break the loop of high energy bills. From cold winters that regularly drop below freezing, or dealing with intensely hot summer it can seem like and endless cycle. Honestly who wants to deal with high energy bills on a monthly basis, so lets take a look at ways to cut them down.
The leading cause of annoying high energy bills is usually the lack of insulation in your home. Now I know that sentence alone can sound like it’ll break the bank and have you wondering if you will ave anything. Well if you are not be in the market to re-insulate your whole house, then you might consider just focusing on one area, like the attic. Just focusing on this part of your home can definitely help.
At Superior Insulation Services has insulated countless home across South Eastern Connecticut, helping many of those homeowners reduce their monthly energy bills by more than half.
How Much Can You Save Just By Insulating Your Attic?
Well that answer is really not that simple. Can you save money insulating your attic? Well yes because if your attic isn’t insulated, then all of the money you are paying to treat the air in your home is just going up and out of through the roof. Remember, heat rises. There is a lot to consider before you can start thinking about the numbers. Now you could save anywhere between 15 to 50 percent if the attic of your home is the single cause of your high energy bills.
Let’s take a look now at some of the factors that can impact your savings.
Does Your Attic Have Insulation?
First things first, if your attic is insulated and you’re still having air leakage or think it is the culprit, then you’re going to need to have your attic inspected.
If you have cellulose in the floor joists, you will want to give them a look and see if it has moved. There is a possibility these joists moved leaving you without coverage in places. If the joists have just moved, then you’ll need to take it out and possibly add more. Or do the joists look wet? If it’s wet, then you’ll have to replace the existing insulation.
If your attic or roof deck has fiberglass then you’ll want to make sure it isn’t sagging from the ceiling, flat in the floor, or wet.
One thing you must keep in mind with attic insulation is that the older traditional insulation isn’t going to create an air seal. So what exactly does that mean? Well it means, even if you already have insulation in your attic, then that cellulose or fiberglass could still be allowing for air leakage.
Now if there isn’t any insulation in your attic then you are a fresh canvas. This means that you will be able to choose the best insulation that meets your needs for energy efficiency. While this might seem like a scary option, it might be the best so we can figure which insulation option will be the most energy efficient for your home and area.
Do You Have a High-Efficiency Furnace or AC Unit?
Keep in mind that the problem you’re having might be less about the attic and more about the age of your furnace and air conditioner. Obviously, attic insulation is really important, but if the two most important appliances that dictate the comfort of your home are on their last legs, then you could be in trouble. This older equipment could be running constantly in order to maintain a constant temperature and still not keep your home comfortable.
Take a look at your AC unit and furnace to see if they are Energy Star rated. Having these appliances that are high efficiency alone can help you save money on your monthly energy bills. That’s because they are made to be efficient.
What Do You Set Your Thermostat At?
Are you changing the settings on your thermostat when you go to sleep or when you are going away on vacation? If you’re not, then you should consider it if you want to lower those monthly heating and cooling bills. You will want to drop the temperature down a few degrees on the thermostat during the in the winter when you’re leaving or going to bed. During the summer you will want to do just the opposite.
Investing in a programmable thermostat like a Nest or an Ecobee can really help you schedule when you want the temperature to adjust automatically. Also newer thermostats tend to come with a wifi feature that allows you to control your thermostat from anywhere (well anywhere with wifi). This can be a great help if the weather shifts suddenly and you need to adjust the temperature settings on the thermostat.
What Kind of Insulation Do You Plan to Use?
You do have options when it comes to insulating your attic. You might decide to go the traditional route and use fiberglass. Or decide on something that is more energy efficient like a spray foam installed by a spray foam insulation company.
Each attic has its own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to know which material is going to meet your expectations. If you want to create an air seal in the attic, the only material that can get that done is spray foam, as both cellulose and fiberglass still allow for air movement.
Are You Eligible for Rebates from Your Energy Provider?
Did you know if you make energy efficiency upgrades to your home your energy provider could offer you a cash rebate? Who doesn’t like free money? If you decide to add insulation to your attic, discuss with your Superior Insulation Contractor to see if your project is eligible for an insulation rebate. If they aren’t sure, your energy provider will be able to tell you.
Save Money on Monthly Energy Bills with an Air Seal
If you’re concerned about reducing your monthly energy bills, then it doesn’t hurt to look at your entire home .
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends reducing the number of air leaks in your home to cut your heating and cooling costs. You can identify and fix these leaks with the an energy audit.
If the attic is the main culprit, then adding an air seal or spray foam insulation will indeed help you save money each month, but if there are leaks throughout the home, then those will need to be addressed as well.
Making smart decisions about your home can have a big effect on your utility bills and your comfort. Start the process by scheduling a free Energy Consultation with Superior Insulation Services a division of Superior Improvements Group.
