How Home Insulation Helps Reduce Your Energy Bill

Does your house have hot and cold spots? Is the kitchen cozy, but the bathroom is an icebox? Your furnace may not be to blame; take a closer look at your home’s insulation. As a homeowner, you have no shortage of expenses—you’re looking for any opportunity to make the financial burden a little lighter. How can insulation, which costs money to install, end up saving you money on your bills? The benefits of insulating your house go beyond reducing your energy usage; they can protect your HVAC system from strain and improve the value of your property, as well. 

With any renovation, you must weigh the cost versus the savings. By investing in energy efficiency insulation up-front, you can enjoy the benefits of a reduced heating and cooling bill. Will it pay off? The answer is yes; it’s only a matter of time. The EPA estimates that insulation can save homeowners $200 annually on utility costs. That means your renovations will pay for themselves within just a few years. The cost of installing insulation will vary depending on the size of your house; it can be anywhere from several hundred dollars to thousands. Now, consider the savings you’ll see on your energy bill. When your home is properly insulated, hot or cold air will not leak out from gaps in the roof, foundation, or windows. As a result, your furnace and/or air conditioner won’t need to use as much energy to maintain your desired temperature. 

As the years go by, your home will show its age in its energy bills. Homes built before the 1980s didn’t prioritize energy efficiency—this movement only began making waves after this time. If you have an older home, then it’s likely under-insulated. When your HVAC unit needs to work harder, it puts excessive strain on the system. Insulation can help save your heating and cooling system from an untimely demise. By improving your insulation, you’ll be giving your furnace and air conditioner a much-needed break; these appliances won’t need to work as hard to regulate temperature. This means that they’ll use less energy, creating further savings on your bill. It will also help you avoid a repair or replacement bill due to a damaged HVAC system. 

Another way that insulation pays off is that it increases the value of your home. When you’re looking to sell, one of the first things buyers ask is what the energy bills are. If a home inspector finds that your property has insufficient insulation, the prospective buyer might try to give you a lowball offer. With the right amount of insulation, your home will be appraised at a higher market value; this is just another way that sealing your home provides a great ROI.

How do you improve your house’s insulation? The smallest gaps can have a surprisingly large impact, so make sure all areas are insulated. Better insulation comes with another benefit: critters will have a harder time getting in. If you’re dealing with a pest infestation, poor insulation may be to blame. Protect your home by arming it with weather-stripping, caulking, and insulation. If you’re looking for places to improve, start in the attic. This is a room that most of us forget all about, but it’s a common place for missing insulation. Another problem area is in the basement. Air leaks out around doors, so seal them up with weather-stripping. Ever notice how you feel a draft when you sit by the window? It’s because single-pane windows are notorious for leaking air. Upgrading to double or even triple-pane windows can significantly increase your energy efficiency. 

Houses with poor insulation aren’t great at maintaining the right temperature. In the summer, you might turn up the air conditioning, but your bedroom may remain a sweltering den of heat. Insulation will help to ensure consistent temperatures across the entire household. Not only is this beneficial for your energy bill, but it has positive effects on your health as well. The healthiest room temperature is roughly 64° Fahrenheit or 18° Celsius. This allows you to have better sleep and feel well-rested when you wake up. 

With any home renovation, homeowners ask themselves the same question: is it worth my money? With insulation, the savings on your energy bills will speak (and pay) for themselves. It will increase the value of your home, reduce wear and tear on your HVAC system, and keep your house at a more comfortable and consistent temperature. 

Guest Contributor: Christie Simon