Insulation is a Great Investment

Insulation is a Great Investment

Insulation is a Great Investment

Given the economy, most homeowners aren't thinking about spending money to improve their homes. Insulation should be exception because, by significantly reducing monthly utility bills, insulation offers one of the best returns on investment today.

But don't take my word for it According to Energy Star.gov, adding insulation is the single most cost effective way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. The Department of Energy estimates that only about 20% of homes built prior to 1980 have adequate insulation. They also state that as much as 60% of your utility bill is attributable to heating and cooling your home. When you consider that insulation can reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home by as much as 50%, you start to understand how much you can save with insulation.

Let's do a little math. Assume that the average homeowner spends $250 per month on utilities. Up to 60% of the total bill each month, or $150, is directly related to heating and cooling your home. If you could cut those costs in half, you would save $75 each month, or $900 per yearforever!

The savings will vary depending on many factors, including size of home, how much insulation you currently have, where you live and, most importantly, the type of insulation you choose (i.e., fiberglass or foam). But one thing is certain if your home is not properly insulated, you're burning money every day. With banks paying less than 1% a year, it's not like your money is earning big interest at the bank. And investing in stocks is a risky proposition. Investing your money in insulation is a no risk investment that will increase your comfort year round, reduce your utility bills every month and increase the value of your home. Insulation is truly an investment that pays for itself.

So what type of insulation makes the most sense? Fiberglass insulation has traditionally been the most popular form of insulation. Fiberglass "slows" the transfer of heat through your attic, which is where you gain heat in summer and lose heat in winter. With the right amount of fiberglass insulation in your attic (19" in Atlanta, according to the Department of Energy), you can reduce heating and cooling costs by up to 10%. The best performing insulation, however, is foam insulation. Foam insulation blocks up to 92% of radiant heat and completely seals an attic against air infiltration ( the two largest sources of heat transfer), reducing your heating and cooling costs by up to 50%. And foam insulation can be applied to the under-decking of your roof, protecting your HVAC unit (if, like most homes, it is located in your attic). Be careful, though, and make sure that whoever installs the foam does it in a way that maintains ventilation under the roof decking. Some companies will spray the foam directly to the under-decking, which can void your shingle warranty.

This article has been brought to you by Energy Defenders, which specializes in providing home insulation and energy efficient windows throughout Atlanta, GA. To schedule a free energy consultation and learn more about energy efficient solutions for your home, call Energy Defenders at 1-866-584-9772 or visit www.energydefenders.com.

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