Have you ever asked yourself “ Why is my electric bill so high”? There are many reasons why your energy bill can skyrocket during certain months of the year, but one of the most overlooked home improvements that can alleviate this problem is an attic air sealing and insulation upgrade. About 49% of a home’s energy costs are spent on heating and cooling your home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, and this is due to being poorly insulated and having leaky air gaps in your attic. The average electric bill could be reduced anywhere between 15-35% depending on the scope of your home insulation project. With 90% of homes in America being under-insulated, it’s no question that fixing this simple problem can be the start of a more energy-efficient world. By reducing the amount of time our HVAC systems run we cut down on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s take a look at why your home energy costs can be so high and how insulating and air sealing your attic can save you money!
Why Is My Electric Bill So High?
Your home as a whole is made up of several systems that all work together. Having a poorly insulated attic can be the start of several problems that can cause your energy costs to soar. For example, if your attic floor is not properly air sealed and insulated then all the warm air that costs a lot of money to heat will rise through gaps and cracks in the attic floor. When this happens it creates a vacuum effect in the house which will now suck in cold air from the outside to try and balance your home’s pressure, causing your HVAC system to run more often to try to rebalance the inside temperature. The heated air escaping to the cooler attic will also create moisture that condenses on the bottom of the roof which can lead to mold and rot. For homes with plumbing in the attic, if it’s not properly insulated then not only could pipes freeze and burst but your hot water heater will have to work harder to supply warm water around the house. In summer, when your attic can reach over 140 degrees, there is a huge burden placed on your HVAC system. Just like in winter when the vacuum is created in your home due to extremely varying temperatures from outside and in; hot air is forced in through gaps around windows and doors making your AC run all day. Also, the air being sucked into the house also brings a lot of dust and pollen with it wreaking havoc on the HVAC filter which can affect how well the system performs. In the attic where temperatures soar, the cool air being pumped through the ductwork is being heated up by the surrounding attic air, further bogging down your system. Not having an attic that is properly sealed, insulated, and ventilated is quite literally throwing money out the window.
Upgrades that Save
Most people never consider upgrading their attic when it comes to their home’s energy efficiency, but they should. With average savings of 25-30% or more, it is a great way to save. By upgrading the air sealing of your home you are greatly reducing the amount of conditioned air that is being lost through gaps throughout your home, cutting down on how long and hard your HVAC system has to work, while also creating a cleaner healthier home. Insulating your attic to the correct R-value ( the measure of how well a material resists heat ) will provide the appropriate barrier to keep those extreme temperatures at bay while maintaining inside comfort levels. Proper ventilation will allow your attic to get rid of excess heat and moisture, extend the life of your roof and ease up on your heating and cooling systems, saving you money now and in the long term.
With several different options and levels of upgrades that can be done to improve your attic and meet any budget, this project is an excellent way to reduce your energy costs. Get started by consulting with an insulation professional to see what options are available and what might work for you. Whether it’s a simple addition of some blown-in insulation to bring up your R-value or a full insulation removal, air sealing, and new insulation install to give you the best protection from the elements and a cleaner more efficient home; Home Shield Insulation is here to provide the Charlotte N.C.area the best energy saving options. There are currently several rebates and tax credits available also so let us work with you on putting together a plan to help save you money now and in the future, and provide a cleaner healthier home.
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