Expert Advice on Home Improvement

Since up to 70% of the energy used in the home goes for heating and cooling, it’s important to be sure you have enough insulation. A simple test is to look in your attic. If you can see the top of the ceiling joists, then you need more insulation. Insulation comes in rolls you can install yourself, or it can be blown into the attic. Watch this video.

If you’re fortunate enough to live in the Sunbelt or some other balmy region, chances are you’ve never heard of—or at least experienced—ice dams. I, on the other hand, live in New England, so every winter ice dams are as common—and as welcoming—as frostbite and sub-zero temperatures. Here’s how to prevent damage to your home. Read in full.

Insulating the space between the joists in a basement or crawlspace can help reduce your energy bills. Remember to install the insulation with the vapor barrier facing up toward the heated living area of the house. If both floors of the house are heated, use unfaced insulation. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

A simple test for finding air leaks in your home is to pass a butane lighter slowly around the edges of doors and windows. If the flame bends or flickers, it indicates that an air leak is present, and you should repair or replace the weather stripping. Be sure to keep the flame away from curtains or other flammable materials. Watch this video.

An energy audit of your home is a worthwhile investment, since it finds the sources of energy loss so you can correct the problem. Consumer versions of tools like infrared digital thermometers and thermal imaging cameras are now available to allow you to conduct your own energy audit, or you can hire a service to do it for you. Watch this video.

Cellulose insulation can be a great way to keep your home warm while helping the environment. To reduce air infiltration, holes and cracks in the walls are filled with foam and then cellulose insulation is sprayed in the walls. The insulation is made from 85% recycled newspapers with an adhesive added to allow it to adhere to the wall cavity. Watch this video.

Draftproofing your home reduces air infiltration which saves energy and lowers your heating and cooling bills. To draftproof your home you should apply caulk and expanding foam to gaps and cracks around the perimeter of your house and install foam gaskets around exterior plugs and switches. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

Nearly eighty million homes in the U.S. are under insulated, which can increase your energy bills up to 20%. The attic is the worst culprit, accounting for up to 40% of a home’s energy loss. There are several options when it comes to insulation, but fiberglass is still the most cost effective solution. Watch this video to find out more. Watch this video.

With the rising cost of gas and electricity, finding ways to cut back on your energy consumption is more important than ever. To help you cope, we’re taking a look at four great ways to make your home more energy efficient that are also eligible for the Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Credit: upgrading your heating and cooling system, water heater, windows, and attic insulation. Read in full.

Rod asks, “I recently added an additional layer of faced fiberglass insulation to my attic. Since then I noted you stipulated unfaced insulation for the attic if you already have a layer of insulation. What should I do?”

Since you already had insulation in your attic, the new insulation you added should have been unfaced to prevent moisture from becoming trapped between the layers. But don’t panic, the solution to your problem isn’t that difficult. Read on to find out how. Read in full.