Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Audit

Tips for Inspecting and Renovating Home Insulation

“Improving the insulation in your home is a speedy and cost-effective way to increase energy-efficiency.  A well insulated home will be less drafty and maintain a more consistent temperature, which helps not only to reduce year-round heating and cooling costs, but also makes for a more comfortable environment,” advises Andy Goyda, Insulation Expert, Owens Corning.  “If you’re unsure whether your home needs more insulation, a simple examination of your home will help.”
The following are some tips to consider when evaluating your home’s insulation:
Around the House

• Assess your home’s insulation – based on your knowledge of the age of your house and from what you can see, you should be able to get a decent idea of what areas of your house are insulated and the approximate R-values.
• Check for drafts – if air can leak in and out of your house, so can heat.  Identify areas that are a source of drafts as a priority for insulation renovation.  Adding a vapour barrier on the inside of exterior walls is a good way to help prevent the unwanted transfer of heat and moisture.
• Test how well noise carries – if you find that sounds are carrying well beyond the room they originate, you should consider adding sound-proofing insulation such as Owens Corning’s QuietZone® Acoustical batts.  Not only will this muffle sounds, but it also helps to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Attic

• Measure the thickness of insulation – if your attic was insulated a long time ago, there’s a good chance that it needs to be upgraded.  If your insulation is less than 11” to 13” thick or less than R-40, you should consider adding more to maximize your home’s energy efficiency.
• Look for heat loss – during the winter, go outside after a snowfall on a day when temperatures are well below freezing and the sun is not intense and observe your roof.  If you notice that the snow on top is melting quickly, you’ll know heat is escaping from your home — a sure sign that you need to improve the attic or ceiling insulation.

Basement

• Check for moisture – damp basements promote the growth of mould and mildew, which can reduce indoor air quality.  Repair water leaks in the basement wall first and then install a 6 mil poly vapour barrier to prevent interior air moisture from entering the exterior wall insulation system.  If you notice condensation, the vapour barrier may be damaged and should be taped or replaced.

“Keep your eyes open around your home and you’ll be sure to notice if there’s areas that need an insulation upgrade.  Once you identify the problem area, consult with an expert at a local home building store for do-it-yourself renovation suggestions,” advises Mr. Goyda.  “If in doubt, your home can only benefit by adding more insulation.”

For more information on household insulation, call 1-800-GET-PINK or visit www.owenscorning.ca.

© 2006 Owens Corning Canada, Inc