Insulation

Heat loss by the ceiling and walls in your home could be extremely large if the insulation levels are low. Checking your home's insulation is one of the fastest and most cost-efficient ways to use a whole-house approach to decrease energy waste. Warm air leaking within our home during the summer and out of our homes during the winter could waste a substantial portion of energy. One of the quickest energy-saving tasks you could do is caulk, seal, and weather-strips all cracks, seams, and openings to the outside. You can increase the comfort of your home while decreasing your heating and cooling required through up to 30% through using proper insulation and weatherization products. You could also save 10% or more on your energy bill.

First, check the insulation in your ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces. Ensure in which the openings for pipes, ductwork, and chimneys, etc. are sealed. Any gaps should be sealed along with a permanent sealant. Check to see if there is a vapour barrier (such as a plastic or fibreglass sheet) on the ceiling. If there does not appear to be a vapour barrier, you might consider painting the interior ceilings along with vapour barrier paint. This decreases the amount of water vapour which can pass by the ceiling.

Large amounts of moisture could decrease the effectiveness of insulation and promote structural damage. Make sure which the vents in your house are not blocked by insulation. You should also seal any electrical boxes in the ceiling and cover the entire roof along with at least the recommended amount of insulation. Checking a wall's insulation level is harder. Only a thermo-graphic inspection done professionally will help in this. Your water heater, hot water pipes, and furnace ducts should all be insulated.