Heating and Cooling Accounts for Nearly Half the Energy Costs of the Typical Home

Your home is your retreat and the biggest investment most of us will make in our lifetimes.

Over time, the envelope of the home can wear out from weather and develop gaps and cracks that can begin to cause drafts and air leaks. And even without leaks, heating and cooling accounts for nearly half the energy costs of the typical home. According to the EPA, the typical home has so many gaps, cracks and holes in the home’s envelope that it’s equal to leaving a window open year-round. By adding insulation to the attic and properly sealing gaps and cracks around the home, the typical home can save $200 a year or more on energy costs. If you’re not sure if you need more insulation, the EPA ENERGY STAR® program recommends a simple solution: if you can see the floor joists inside your attic, you need more insulation. Replace old weather stripping and door sweeps, and seal gaps and cracks around windows, doors and pipe entry points with caulk or spray foam.

Properly sealing and insulating your home not only helps prevent drafts, but also helps keep pests like rodents, snakes and insects from finding their way into the home.