It’s fair to say that we all want to save energy to lower our utility bills. But what can we do that will make the most impact for the lowest investment? The answer is insulation. According to the US Department of Energy, if you spend $9,000 to $12,000 on windows, you’ll save 7% to 15% on your energy bill. But if you spend around $1,000- $1,500 for new insulation, proper caulking, and sealing, you’ll save 10% to 20% on your energy bill. So while replacing your windows will save energy, it’s not the first thing you should do to see the greatest savings.
Adding Insulation Gives You the Most Bang for Your Buck
This makes sense because at A+ Insulation, we know that insulation makes up for 70% of the total heat gain and loss in your home. The Department of Energy starts its whole discussion of energy saving in the home with insulation. While houses may have a variety of ways they are heated and cooled, insulation always provides tremendous energy savings. Luckily, insulation installation is one of the least expensive ways to achieve these energy savings.
Almost All Homes Can Use More Insulation
According to Energy.gov, unless your home was built especially with energy efficiency in mind, most homeowners can reduce energy bills by adding more insulation. Many older homes have less insulation than modern homes, but even adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years. An energy assessment can tell you exactly where you need more insulation to reduce your energy bills.
Beyond Attic and Wall Insulation
If you’re serious about reducing your energy bills, there are a couple of other things you can do that will help. First, caulk and seal all air leaks including where plumbing and electric lines come into your home as well as adding new weather stripping to your windows and doors. Hire an HVAC professional to inspect your home’s ductwork for leaks and give you an HVAC tune-up. Make sure you are using a programmable thermostat. Replace all of your old incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. And finally, reduce the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees from the normal 140 degrees and wrap any old water heaters with insulating material.
There are lots of ways to save money on energy bills, but if you think your home could use more insulation, (and most can) that’s the best place to start. Give A+ Insulation a call to schedule a free home energy evaluation to see how much you can save. We‘ll show you where you can make the changes that will affect your bills the most. Call 913-281-2250 or 816-268-7511 today.