Insulation is a key component for an energy efficient home.

Dec. 9, 2011 - PRLog -- Unless your home was built in the past few years, it was probably built with inadequate, or ineffective insulation by today’s standards according to Brian Paterson, Vice President of New Buffalo Impact (NBI), a Tonawanda, NY home energy improvement contractor.

“Inadequate insulation leads to higher than necessary heating and cooling bills,” he stated.

Paterson said, “Unless an older home was constructed with energy efficiency in mind, it was probably not insulated to the levels needed to reduce energy bills and reduce waste. We have gained a lot of knowledge in the past few years on ways to improve a home’s energy profile.”

That’s important according to Paterson because “heating and cooling accounts for nearly 70% of the energy usage in the average home. Proper insulation is a key component for an energy efficient home.”

To be most effective, “insulation must be accompanied by additional air sealing”,  Paterson added.

He explained, “Air sealing is needed when warm air flows out of the home and cold air enters the home through open pathways. Any air sealing efforts will complement your insulation efforts, and the correct application of insulation will improve your air sealing.”

Paterson pointed out that properly installed insulation with accompanying air sealing measures will also make a home feel more comfortable by maintaining a more consistent temperature throughout a home.

“Insulation and air sealing keeps a house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. It also can make a big dent in annual home energy usage and heating and cooling bills,” Paterson added.

Paterson also added that homeowners of older homes do not have to put up with an inefficient heating and cooling and the accompanying high energy bills.  He said, “Older homes can be easily retrofitted with proper insulation, but my advice is have a professional install it.”

Paterson pointed out that there are several common types of insulation including fiberglass, cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam. In addition, another form of insulation, a radiant barrier, can help save energy in hot, sunny climates. Different types are used for specific kinds of applications.  

Paterson’s company, New Buffalo Impact, was recently named as the top contractor in New York state by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

New Buffalo Impact is a non-profit corporation established in 1998 to assist homeowners, both single and multi-family, to achieve energy savings in their homes.  NBI offers a free, or low cost Comprehensive Home Energy Assessment which provides homeowners with a complete analysis of suggested energy related improvements and solutions.  

Paterson concluded, “NBI is a Participating Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor, and a Building Performance Institute (BPI) accredited contractor as well. We help homeowners identify their specific energy issues and develop a plan to improve the home. We conduct a comprehensive home energy assessment and do all the required work ourselves."

According to Paterson, NBI also provides all the work necessary to meet the improvement specifications including insulation, air sealing, windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners and the purchase and installation of energy efficiency appliances. NBI also works with homeowners to identify, and use, various financial assistance programs.

For more information about New Buffalo Impact (NBI) call 716 881-1477, or visit www.newbuffaloimpact.com.

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New Buffalo Impact is a non profit company and energy efficency resource that not only conducts a comprehensive home energy audit, but also performs the necessary home energy improvement work including insulation, air sealing, windows and doors, furnaces, air conditioners and the purchase and installation of energy efficiency appliances.