Whether you have a Richmond Virginia Fan District home or have a home somewhere else, just about anyone who pays high utility bills likes to save on the operational costs of a home. Who doesn't?
How can we save on our utility bills without making the major investment of retrofitting our home to become a Passive House, a LEED certified home, or an EarthCraft certified home? Quick answer: Install more insulation as a homeowner and also seal air leaks found at ductwork connections and leaks around doors and windows.
When we start talking about having contractors to do the work of installing insulation for the first time or even just more of it, be prepared to pay for those labor costs. However, any difficult or technical installation sometimes does require special training.
Since labor costs vary, check prices with different insulation contractors in your area. Be sure to give identical information to all contractors in order to receive comparable estimates. Very often free estimates also are available, so remember to ask when you call.
On the other hand, I stopped by Lowe's recently and found many different types of insulation that would help get me started and eventually make my Richmond Virginia home considerably more comfortable and energy efficient! I already have added a lot of insulation to my attic which has made my master bedroom much more comfortable and warmer in the winter and even cooler in the summer.
Many of the homes in the Fan District, Museum District, Byrd Park, the Carillon, Windsor Farms, Ginter Park, Bellevue, Hermitage Road Historic District and other surrounding neighborhoods contain older homes primarily dating from as early as the 1890s up to the 1940s. As many of us know, older homes typically are much less insulated than newer ones. However, all of us can be the change to make even older homes more comfortable and insulated.
Generally speaking, the greater the R-value, the greater the thermal resistance. For example, R-38 has twice the thermal resistance as R-19.
Above is the type of R-19 fiberglass batt insulation I installed in my attic (three layers used).
Based on the EnergyStar recommendations, uninsulated attics in Virginia ought to have between R-38 and R-60. For attics already with three to four inches on insulation, R-38 is recommended.
Above is an earth-friendly version of blown-in insulation that can be found at Lowe's.
A couple winters ago I went up to the attic in my home and installed two more layers of R-19 batt insulation. An immediate improvement in heat retention was experienced in the upstairs master bedroom. Even after lowering the thermostat a few degrees at my home, it still remained much more comfortable than before! Then the exciting part: my utility bills began to drop!
Depending on how much of an R-value for all exterior walls and the attic, the overall thermal barrier and orientation of a home, Energy Star gives various estimates on utility bill savings. Simply click the Energy Star link in the last sentence to see those estimated savings.
Are you ready to save even more money on heating and cooling expenses? If you really would like to get back at your utility company for some outrageously high energy bills, consider a long-term investment in a Passive House. Energy usage in a home retrofitted to be a Passive House typically can be reduced by 80% to 90%, and energy bills drop accordingly. Passive House designs have a very airtight building shell. Also, ventilation systems are used for heat recovery or cooling (and they bring in fresh air), and the windows are among the most highly efficient available.
Above is a can of spray foam I've used before. However, I prefer soy-based spray foam.
If you'd like to keep things simple and at a relatively low cost, you very likely can do many of these insulating home improvements yourself. Just remember to always to wear glove protection when using spray foam, and read all instructions and warnings on the can. Based on personal experience, I know that spray foam can be very difficult to remove from hands. In fact, it could take several days.
However, by carefully reading and following the caution labels and instructions for any off-the-shelf insulating products before starting application or installation, you soon will be well on your way to lowering your energy bills and likely saving a lot of money!
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Are you looking to buy or sell a highly energy efficient home in the Richmond Virginia Fan District or elsewhere in Greater Richmond? Call me today, and let's work together to fulfill your real estate dreams!
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