Insulation is the key to maintaining a cozy home in the winter. Whether you're fighting a cold front or keeping your home comfortable for the holidays, it's important to know what insulations are best for your home. Here are ways to improve home insulation and stay comfortable in all kinds of weather.
Shop for Energy-Efficient Windows
If you haven't changed your windows, consider replacing them with new energy-efficient models. Old or drafty windows let in cold air and should be replaced with new ones with a rating of at least R-3. And when they're installed, they should fit tightly in the window frames to prevent cold air infiltration.
Seal Gaps Around Doors and Baseboards
The number one place to look for air leaks is around your entryway. If there are gaps around your doors, they aren't properly sealed, or the weather-stripping is damaged and ineffective. Cracks, gaps, and spaces between doors and frames should be filled with caulk or special weather sealing tape to reduce drafts. This is also great for crawl space insulation since it holds in the heat and keeps the air from being constantly circulated.
Use Insulation in Your Attic
You can't overlook your attic if you're looking for home improvement ideas to reduce heating costs. The attic is an ideal location for insulation because it's an area that seldom gets used, with little contamination from dust, pollen, or animal droppings. Also, if you're interested in building an expandable attic or adding insulation to the floor of your attic, you should call your local electrician for advice and help installing it.
Fill in Any Vents You Might Have
If you've ever noticed that your windows or doors always smell musty, it's because it's filled with heat and moisture from the inside rather than cold air from the outside. These air leaks allow for odors and mildew growth, which can be easily eliminated by installing a small vent cover designed for this purpose.
Insulate Walls
Up to half of the heat loss is due to poor wall insulation. Wall insulation should be at least R-19 to do an adequate job. This can be achieved by adding additional insulation or by adding weatherproof siding to your home's exterior walls. Also, if you live in a mobile home, you can replace the wall insulation material with R-19 fiberglass insulation for some serious savings.
Get a Better Furnace Filter or Install an Air Purifier
Another way to reduce heat loss from home is by installing an air purifier in your furnace. These are commonly found in homes where people have allergies, and they work by trapping pollen and other gasses inside the unit before they enter your home. If you don't have allergies, a furnace filter will help reduce the dust and other contaminants entering your home.
The tips discussed above are a great place to start if you're looking for ways to improve your home insulation. You can start cutting back on your gas, electricity, and heating bills by providing proper insulation and improving your home's energy efficiency. There is no need to choose expensive materials that are hard to install yourself. All you need is some good advice and a little know-how regarding insulating your home in the winter.
