If you live in a cold weather state, you’re probably well aware of just how much it costs to heat your house. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to spend hundreds of dollars each month just trying to keep their home at a comfortable temperature. Some homeowners are tempted to reduce the temperature throughout their home while they’re sleeping or pile on the sweaters in the daytime, but there are a few easy things they can do to the building that can help them save up to 20% each year. If you’re interested in saving money (and who isn’t?) use these steps to reduce your energy consumption.
Seal Off Air Leaks
The easiest way to help control the temperatures of your home is to seal off air leaks. Take weather stripping, foam or caulk and seal around windows, doors, behind kneewalls, around wiring holes, in plumbing vents or around pipes, around the basement rim joists and surrounding any recessed lighting canisters. This should be a relatively easy process and will likely provide noticeable benefits right away. If Types Of Roofs Pdf you’re trying to insulate your home even further, consider using temporary plastic sheeting to cover the glass of your windows for the winter. These plastic sheets trap air in between the glass and the sheet, which then becomes an insulator. These sheets typically only last a season, but they’re easily installed and removed when spring comes and homeowners want to be able to open the windows in their home.
Call A Roofing Company To Add Additional Insulation
Aside from air leaks, a large amount of heat escapes through the attic. Insulating material is often sold in rolls, but many homeowners choose to hire a roofing company to come inspect their roofing and blow in insulation. A qualified roofing company will know how to best add it to your attic and they’ll be able to let you know if your existing insulation isn’t doing its job (fiberglass insulation, for instance, can lose as much as 50% of its insulating properties over time).
Many homeowners might be tempted to insulate their attics themselves. While it’s possible to do this correctly, hiring a roofing company means that someone will come to your home and inspect to make sure there aren’t any additional Roofing License Washington State problems. Adding insulation to a damp, moldy or rotting attic will only put a bandage on the problem instead of fixing it. Not fixing problems correctly the first time could lead to expensive repairs down the road.
Other Benefits Of Insulation For Your Roofing Materials
Although increased energy efficiency is the best-known benefit of increasing insulation in your home, it’s not the only one. Homeowners who properly insulate and seal off air leaks can actually extend the life of their roof. They’ll avoid common problems such as ice damming, which can actually cause water to pool on your shingles, leading to leaks.
If your house seems like it just won’t warm up in the winter, making small changes can mean big savings on your energy bill. Inspect your home for any air leaks that you can seal and have a qualified roofing company come out and add insulation. You might be surprised at how much you can save when your heating bill comes each month.
