Many of us want to make our home more environmentally friendly but don’t know where to begin the process. In an energy guide posted by Energy.gov they advise that the best place to start is with insulation. “Improving your home’s insulation and sealing air leaks are the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce energy waste and make the most of your energy dollars.” By sealing air leaks and insulating you are sure to get the most out of your heating and cooling system and cut down on wasted energy.

The go-to way for sealing air leaks in your home is to, “caulk, seal, and weather strip all seams, cracks, and openings to the outside.” However, before insulating determine which type of insulate–blankets, loose fill, rigid foam, or foam in place, is best for your family and home. The most common insulated areas are attics, walls, floors, basements, and crawlspaces. The article suggests that sealing and insulating is definitely an ideal choice if you have an older home,“Homes built before 1950 use about 60% more energy per square foot than those built in 2000 or later.” Adding insulation to your house may also be a great choice if you feel that your home is unusually hot or cold in respective seasons. Visit your local hardware store to get started on your path to a more temperature consistent and comfortable home today.

For more information and the full article on sealing and insulating your home visit the provided link.Then check back on our blog for more “green” tips that are sure to help inspire you on how to conserve both energy and money!

Photo by Forest Service- Northern Region