It’s no surprise that keeping your home properly insulated will help keep you warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and help save on energy bills. Whether your house is old or new, all homes could stand to undergo an insulation evaluation. Older homes may not be properly insulated and up to today’s standards, and therefore need an upgrade. Many newer homes may not have adequate insulation because builders, by saving costs, may not have paid heed to energy conservation, or local building codes weren’t yet up to date with the US Department of Energy requirements, so only the minimal amount of insulation was used. You can have an energy check performed on your home by contacting your local utility company and ask about getting an “energy audit” in order to tell if your home needs insulation improvement.

Home insulation comes in various forms. The most common type is blankets or batts. They are filled with either fiberglass or rock wood fibers. Blankets come in continuous rolls and batts come in pre-cut strips. Batts and blankets are popularly used by self-installers. Other types of insulation are loose-fill insulation, blown-in, plastic foam, rigid foam boards, and reflective insulation. Reflective insulation is used mostly in hot climates and is made with aluminum foil to reflect off radiant heat.

All insulation is rated by the R-value. The greater the R-value, the more effective the insulation material insulates. You can find out the appropriate amount of insulation requirements in your area by logging onto the U.S. Department of Energy’s website at www.energy.gov, and entering your zip code.

Your attic is the most important place for proper insulation in your home because it is the biggest source of heat loss. It is also important for walls to be properly insulated. Here are some other tips to keep spaces in your home well insulated and help to save on energy costs:

1. Use expansion foam to fill in small spaces where insulation may not fill properly, such as exterior openings where plumbing pipes enter the house, openings used for electricity, cable and internet lines, and behind and around electric switch plates.

2. Use weatherstripping around doors and windows, and seal up any cracks and crevices on the exterior structure of your home.

3. Insulate your basement and any crawl spaces.

4. Use curtains and blinds to their advantage. Thick curtains or curtains with insulated backing help keep your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Thick blinds can also have the same effect.