There are all sorts of places that house air escapes from that you’d least suspect. You may see these are
a negligible factor, however the reality is that the average household wastes about 50% more on heating
and cooling than it has to. We are all well aware of the importance of peace and quiet from other rooms
as well. Here are all the ways you can cut that extra amount of energy you are likely wasting.
<h4>Walls</h4>
Partition walls, supporting walls, and separation walls are all additional barriers for keeping in air and
blocking excess sound from escaping into other rooms. Walls are not always properly insulted. There are
various reasons for this. Wall insulation is commonly neglected by installers.
Measure your walls and punch the dimensions into a calculator to obtain a ballpark estimate for what
the investment would cost you.
<h4>Leaks</h4>
There is an almost endless list of gaps existing throughout the house, such as:
- door and window frames
- basement plugs
- light indentations
- hollow pen stud cavities
- soffits
- electric sockets
- fillable chimney gaps created due to legal regulations by law
- attic hatches
Air sealing insulation such as caulk or polyurethane spray foam insulation shot out of a sprayer can cover
these gaps. Cheaper options to fill larger gaps are include such types of materials as fiberglass and
rockwool.
<h4>Windows</h4>
Out of date windows are often in large part responsible for poor windows insulation. If you have ever
felt a draft coming out of your window, this is a good clue. For that reason, not only is polyurethane
sealing on the frame of your windows a worthwhile consideration, but there are additional simple
measures you could take, including adhesive window film on top of the window which doesn’t at all
harm the beauty of your window, bubble wrap, draperies, caulk, and cellular shapes. A popular option is
weatherstripping but this will require that you don’t open the window, which you may not need to if
you’re using it in the Winter. In terms of cost, expect a price of 300 to 800 dollars for your windows
insulation investment.
<h4>Survey Your Home</h4>
It’s a good idea to take a walk around your house and see if you have any wall studs without any
insulation in them. A way to look behind them is peeking through an electric socket. There is a possibility
you will discover missing or old insulation, mold, termites, or rot in your timber, which can reduce the
value of your home. It is always better to be aware of these things ahead of time. Lack of insulation is
also common in short walls with only a window. Keep in mind that doors can have adhesive films
installed directly on them as well.
Precise insulation is difficult to do properly on your own and if you do so, you might not adequately fill
these gaps well enough to actually make the effort pay off. The right long-term solution might be to
engage the service of a professional company that is much more adept at filling in those hard-to-reach
spots. Also beware of asbestos and, if you have vermiculite, make sure to get it tested.