Winterizing My Home: Insulation and Air Sealing for Comfort

It’s an annual rite of fall.  Every year as the weather starts to cool, we think about getting our homes ready for winter.  Some of us are more organized about it than others.  For every person who makes a list and checks off the items as they are accomplished, others go at it as they please.  Some just let winter happen.

For those who make lists, the list usually includes the standard things:  trim the vegetation, disconnect and drain the garden hoses, clean the gutters, clean and store the outdoor furniture, drain and store the lawn mower, move potted plants indoors, etc.  When it comes to energy efficiency, an obvious task is to have your heating and cooling professional inspect and service your furnace.

Energy Efficiency for the Winter

The most important energy efficiency winterization task is to have a home energy audit (or checkup) performed by a professional energy auditor.  The auditor will inspect your home using special diagnostic tools such as the blower door and thermal imaging camera, then analyze how your home is performing as a system.  Once the analysis is complete, you’ll know what you need to do.

Your list of winterization tasks might include: 

• Adding attic insulation
• Adding wall insulation
• Adding basement or crawlspace insulation
• Air sealing
• Sealing and insulating ductwork
• Repairing damaged ductwork
• Air sealing your fireplace
• Insulating the floor of the room over your garage
• Sealing and insulating your whole-house fan
• Sealing and insulating your attic access
• Sealing and insulating your rim joist
• Insulating your knee walls
• Encapsulating your crawl space

Whether you make lists or not, a professional energy auditor will put help you put together what may be the best list of all.  Taking care of the right list of winterization tasks can help save plenty of money on your heating bills.  As an added bonus, many of these tasks will also make your home warmer, less drafty and much more comfortable.

We are that energy auditor who can help! We have the experience and the know-how to reach your comfort and efficiency goals. Contact us today to schedule a home energy audit or an estimate for our other services!