| Is your home currently energy efficient or would it be a | | | | and loose fiber or blankets of batt. |
| good idea to contact an insulation contractor in order | | | | * Check on the efficiency of heating and cooling |
| to upgrade its efficiency? One way to find out the | | | | systems. If yours is old and battered, not only is it |
| answer to this question is with an energy audit. An | | | | probably not maintaining the temperatures as well as |
| energy audit is like a physical examination for a home's | | | | you'd like, it's costing a lot more to do the job. |
| energy efficiency. | | | | A professional audit will entail all of the above and a |
| Giving your home a thorough inspection in order to | | | | few more thorough observations including: |
| discover how efficient it actually is can save big bucks | | | | * Blower Door Tests, which are done by a |
| in the long run. You can do an audit yourself or you | | | | professional utilizing a heavy duty fan to observe the |
| may want to hire a professional. | | | | amount of air leakage in door areas. |
| A do-it-yourself audit should entail the following | | | | * Thermographic inspections are those that are |
| inspection and repair points: | | | | performed by using infrared and still cameras and |
| * Check for obvious drafty leaks and make a list of | | | | video equipment. This technology picks up heat |
| them including electrical switch plates, baseboards, | | | | patterns in a household in order to determine where |
| windows, doorways, wall air conditioner units, attic | | | | additional insulation may be necessary. |
| doorways and surrounding a fireplace. | | | | * PFT Infiltration Measurement Technique is another |
| * Seal all leaks with silicone caulking, weather stripping | | | | way that professionals are able to discover air leaks in |
| and make sure that all window and door seals are | | | | your home. PFT stands for PerFlourocarbon Trace |
| tight. If you have single pane windows, you may want | | | | Gas and discovers energy loss over a period of time, |
| to consider investing in upgraded double panes. The | | | | such as a few hours or weeks. This test is helpful in |
| initial outlay of cash will pay off in comfort and reduced | | | | discovering that there are problems, but it doesn't |
| utility bills over the long run. | | | | specifically pinpoint the locations of the inefficiency. |
| * Inspect the insulation to see if it's still in good shape | | | | Whether you decide to perform your own energy |
| and if there's an adequate amount in all areas of your | | | | audit or employ a professional, contacting a reputable |
| house, such as attics, crawl spaces, walls, and | | | | insulation contractor in your area to enhance your |
| basements. You can add additional insulation with the | | | | home's efficiency is always a good idea. Be prepared |
| help from a contractor. New insulation may come in | | | | in order to save money and keep your home warm |
| the form of sprayed polyurethane, rigid sheets, pellets | | | | and comfy before winter arrives. |