Insulation and air sealing are some of the most important and beneficial improvements you can make to your home. They help you stay warmer in the winter, cooler in summer, lower your energy costs and even help with indoor air quality. Use these steps to prep for your insulation project and get the best results for your home:
1. Find a qualified contractor.
Focus on Energy offers a list of Trade Ally contractors in your area to help you avoid the guesswork and find a trusted partner for your project. Trade Allies are experts in energy-saving home improvements.
2. Consider a home energy assessment.
Using special diagnostic tools, such as a blower door test, a Trade Ally can identify areas in your home that cause drafts, discomfort and high energy costs. Once the assessment is complete, your Trade Ally will provide specific solutions for comfort, health and safety issues, as well as ideas for lowering energy costs.
3. Talk to your Trade Ally about air sealing.
Air sealing works to prevent air leakage, a common problem that puts extra burden on your heating and cooling system and makes it harder and more expensive to maintain comfort. The typical trouble spots include attics, interior walls, electrical outlets and light fixtures.
4. Choose insulation materials.
Common insulation materials include fiberglass, cellulose and spray foam. Each option has pros and cons. No matter which material you choose, it’s important you pay attention to the R-value. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation is at stopping heat transfer. Your Trade Ally should be able to help you decide which material is best for your home.
5. Get quotes and plan your costs.
The cost of an insulation project can depend on square footage of the area being insulated, insulation material, existing issues like knob and tube wiring or roof leaks, and ease of access to the area where the project will take place.
Focus on Energy is here to help make these projects easier and more affordable for Wisconsin homeowners.