Proper Attic Insulation to Save Money

 

The old adage sometimes you have to spend money to save money is true. If you are paying to heat or cool a poorly insulated house, then you are spending a lot of money for absolutely nothing. Invest in attic insulation and you’ll quickly see a return on the investment.

 

According to the ENERGY STAR web site, the average annual energy bill for a single-family home is $2,200 — and 46% of that (or $1,012) goes to heat or cool the house.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, proper insulation and air sealing can reduce a home’s heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent (or 10 percent of total energy costs).

Typically, the easiest, least expensive, most effective place to add insulation is in your attic. Visit the Energy Savers website for information on insulating your attic and your attic’s access door.

Insulation costs — and the amount insulation can save you — varies by climate. See the Department of Energy’s “Insulation Fact Sheet” for an explanation of R-Values, which take into account utility costs and the cost of adding insulation.

If you live in a hot climate, you should also consider a radiant barrier. If you improve your home’s insulation, you may be eligible for state or federal energy efficiency rebates or tax credits.  Find information about federal tax credits at the ENERGY STAR web site. You can also search for local rebate programs at the ENERGY STAR site.

To save the most money on your energy bill, make sure you’re getting the best electric rate. Visit Allconnect.com to see if you have a choice of electric companies servicing your home.

You may also like this post on Programmable Thermostats to help save on heating and cooling bills.

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