As we’re settling into the crisp feeling of fall here in the Rochester area, many homeowners are starting to think about preparing for the colder months ahead. At Wise Home Energy, we think this is a wise choice. In fact, fall is one of the best times to insulate and air seal your home, especially if you’ve noticed high energy bills and drafty rooms—here are five reasons why.
1. Stay Cozy This Winter
If your home has significant air leaks and poor insulation, it’ll be prone to comfort issues like uneven temperatures, drafty rooms, and cold floors. Home insulation creates a barrier that protects your living spaces from the frigid outdoor air by preventing the transfer of heat, while air sealing prevents unwanted airflow in and out of your home. Together, these upgrades will leave you feeling warm and cozy all winter long.
2. Save on High Heating Bills
If your home is losing heat, you’re probably spending more than you need to on your energy bills. Insulation not only protects you from the chilly temperatures in the winter, it also helps take the stress off your HVAC system. Whether you have a traditional furnace or an energy-efficient heat pump, a poorly insulated home will lead to unnecessary wear and tear, making your heating work overtime to make up for the energy loss and increasing your monthly bills.
3. Prevent Winter Ice Dams
Do your gutters get big icicles every winter? These are commonly called ice dams and aren’t just annoying to remove, they can also be a sign your home has poor attic insulation. Ice dams form when heat escapes from your attic, melting the snow on your roof. The snowmelt will then refreeze as it reaches the edge of your roof and blocks future snowmelt from draining properly. This causes water to seep into your attic, which can cause severe water damage.
4. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Dust, pollen, moisture, and pests have easy access to poorly insulated homes, making them vulnerable to several indoor air quality issues. This is especially true for homes that also have significant air leaks. Poor indoor air quality can lead to several health and home comfort issues, such as mold growth, headaches, or even respiratory illness with prolonged exposure. Insulating and air sealing seals off the access, preventing contaminants from entering your home and allowing you to breathe easier.
5. Insulation Qualifies for Incentives
One of the biggest reasons to insulate and air seal your home this fall is that these services qualify for weatherization tax credits and rebates. The Inflation Reduction Act allows homeowners to take a federal tax credit equal to 30% of the cost of insulation and air sealing materials used to upgrade their homes, up to $1,200. There are also several insulation rebates available through NYSERDA and local utilities totaling up to $4,000. Together, these insulation incentives make improving your home more affordable than ever!
Get Started with a Wise Home Assessment
Are you ready to get started with a healthier, more energy efficient, and comfortable home? That’s great! At Wise Home Energy, we like to begin every insulation project with a Wise Home Energy Assessment to get an in-depth look of how well your home is currently performing. We’ve helped thousands of families improve their homes since opening our doors in 2010—let us help you.