Since insulation improvements tend to pay for themselves over the years, it’s always good to be on the lookout for home improvement projects that may help make your home more heat efficient. Especially if you plan to live in the same house for the next decade or two. Here are some insulation improvement ideas you can try to help reduce your next heating bill.
1 – Window insulation ideas
You have probably had double-glazed windows recommended to you before, and if you can afford them, they are a great idea. Double-glazed windows have two glass panes with an inert gas in between them, which helps keep heat trapped in your house.
Installing double-glazed windows can be costly, but there are other options. You can add a plastic insulation film to all your windows, which can have an effect similar to double glazing. Another option is to install a second panel made of acrylic or Plexiglas to improve insulation. Neither of these options is quite as effective as double glazing, but they are more affordable, and they are not permanent. You won’t have to get permission from your landlord to install them.
2 – Seal gaps
Hot air leaving through various gaps is one of the main ways heat escapes your home, so be on the lookout for gaps you can seal shut. You’ll typically find gaps around doors and windows which can be sealed with weather strips and other materials.
Most homes in cold weather will have some sort of weatherproofing around those areas, but those can start falling apart or become less effective over time. It’s important to have a heating repair Denver company inspect the weatherproofing to make sure it is still effective.
3 – Loft and roof insulation
If you haven’t already, check what kind of insulation your house’s loft or attic has. Insulation that has gaps, chunks missing, or is flaking away may need to be repaired or replaced. And depending on how old the insulation is, investing in a more energy-efficient alternative may also be a good idea. Hot air tends to rise, meaning that if the roof isn’t properly insulated, it can become a major cause of heat loss for the house.
4 – Rugs and carpets
A carpet does more than just make the floor feel nicer. Wood and many other floor materials are not great insulators and a lot of heat efficiency can be gained by covering up those surfaces with the right material. If you needed another excuse to get a nice fluffy carpet installed, here you have it.
That said, wall-to-wall carpeting is an expensive investment. A cheaper option is to buy insulating area rugs for one or more living spaces in your home. Those have a similar effect, with the advantage of being cheaper and easier to install.
5 – Hot water insulation
Your heating bill isn’t just a product of your furnace. A water heater is also a necessity for the cold water months, and you can make running said heater cheaper by making sure your hot water pipes are insulated. This will reduce the rate at which heat escapes the pipes, making it cheaper to run your heater year-round.