Have you ever opened your energy bill and wondered how in the world it increased so much? Well, you’re not alone. According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), approximately 90% of homes in the US are under-insulated.
Are certain parts of your house uncomfortable? Do you experience inconsistent temperatures throughout your home? Does your basement seem noticeably cooler than your first floor? Is your attic insulation inadequate? These are some signs that your home could be more energy efficient. Let’s take a look at what causes homes to use energy inefficiently, and what you can do about it.
Save Energy by Insulating Your Home’s “Building Envelope”
What Is Your Home’s “Building Envelope”?
The building envelope includes your walls, windows, roof, and foundation. It forms the primary thermal barrier between your house’s interior and the exterior environment. How well your home’s “building envelope” is sealed and insulated impacts your energy use.
When a house is built, there are three fundamentally different things you can do to tighten up its envelope and make it more energy-efficient.
- Insulate the attic
- Insulate the holes (your windows and doors)
- Insulate the walls
There are two primary ways insulation efficiency is determined:
- Airtightness—How airtight is your home? Measuring air leakage by assessing a home’s airflow in cubic feet per minute (CFM50) is the most commonly used measurement of a building’s airtightness.
- R-Value—We can discover how resistant things are to the transfer of heat by looking at their R-Value. Insulation comes in a seemingly infinite variety of materials, types, and sizes, but most insulation is between 3 and 3.5 R-value per inch. So the more inches of insulation, the better!
How to Tighten Your Home’s Building Envelope and Enjoy Greater Energy Savings
Plug the holes
Tightening your house’s building envelope typically means plugging up holes (such as with spray foam and gap fillers), or wrapping things with an air barrier.
Add insulation
A big part of how insulation works is by trapping air, since air is an excellent insulator (think down comforter). Compressing insulation doesn’t add to the R-value. So cramming 5.5” (R-19) of insulation into a 3.5” (R-13) wall isn’t going to give you R-19 in that skinny wall.
Make your attic more efficient
At Presidential Exteriors, we offer attic insulation replacement and air sealing services so you can enjoy a comfortable, more energy-efficient home. You probably need insulation in your attic, but you may not know how much, or what else to do to make your attic more efficient.
Ensure your windows and doors are energy efficient
Energy-efficient windows and doors can make a big difference in your building envelope—saving you consistently on utilities by lowering energy use. The more you can keep your heating and air conditioning from leaking through your doors and windows, the greater your energy savings will be.
Insulate your walls
When insulating your walls, things get a little tricky. Most homes have 2-3 times as many exposed walls as they have attic space. So we’re talking about a lot of your building’s envelope being exposed to outdoor temperatures. Some of the older homes in our region include 2 x 4 framing (3.5” walls) with fake wood sheathing and aluminum siding. These homes aren’t even close to meeting today’s code requirements, so significant changes need to be made to tighten their building envelope and lower their energy use. Adding insulation creates a solid barrier between your home and the environment outdoors.
Replace your siding
Your current siding may be causing energy to escape your home through holes, cracks, and gaps due to its age or makeup. Improve your home’s energy efficiency by installing insulated vinyl siding or durable fiber cement siding.
Increase Your Home’s Energy-Efficiency with Premium Replacement Siding
If you’re upgrading your siding, you’re looking at the best opportunity to add insulation to the largest exposed area of your building envelope. Siding replacement will shield your home from the elements, lowering energy use.
Insulated Vinyl Siding
Insulated vinyl siding offers a modern aesthetic, impeccable style, and a wide variety of customization options. At Presidential Exteriors, we only install the finest siding products on the market. You’re sure to love our high-quality insulated vinyl siding. It is form fitted to ensure a finished look with the best R-Value achievable in the industry (between 3 and 4)—giving you exceptional energy efficiency and great looks.
Presidential Exteriors is a Mastic Elite Pro Contractor through PlyGem, the #1 manufacturer of vinyl siding in North America. Our Polymeric Exterior Products Association (PEPA) award means we are trained, experienced, and certified to ensure your vinyl siding looks fabulous and performs well for years to come.
James Hardie Siding and Trim Products
Hardie siding and trim products deliver unmatched protection from the elements, enhanced energy efficiency, and stunning style that elevates your curb appeal. Made of cement, sand, and cellulose, Hardie products are known for their low maintenance, moisture resistance, pest resistance, and non-combustible makeup. They come with an outstanding 30-year non-prorated, transferable warranty, giving you peace of mind in your investment. Precision installation of this robust siding material by a reputable contractor (like us!) ensures you get the high performance Hardie siding was engineered to deliver. As a James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor, we bring top-tier expertise to every project.
Make Your Home More Energy-Efficient and Comfortable with New Siding Installed by Our Experienced Team
Navigating the unknown can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Presidential Exteriors, we have successfully guided thousands of homeowners through the renovation process. And we’re ready to serve you! Learn more about how our siding services can transform your property so you can enjoy an energy-efficient, beautiful home exterior. Contact us for a free quote!
