Insulate and air seal to reduce home heating and cooling bills.

Jan. 4, 2011 - PRLog -- Tonawanda, NY – 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.

“When properly installed and combined with other air sealing measures, insulation can reduce both a home's energy use and heating and cooling costs. In addition, these actions will also make a home less drafty and more comfortable”, stated Brian Paterson, vice president of New Buffalo Impact, a home energy improvement company based in Tonawanda, NY.

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 suggest letting a professional help decide which kind of insulation is best for you,  and hour home.

To be truly 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.”

According to Paterson common air loss paths include: joints between building materials; gaps around doors and windows frames; spaces around piping, ducts, and light sockets: and attic pathways involving the ceiling, duct holes, pipes, and chimney joints.

Paterson added that outside air drawn in can create a chimney effect in an improperly air sealed home which can send heating dollars through the roof…literally. He explained that a without proper air sealing hot air generated by the furnace rises up through the house and into the attic through leaks, while cold outside air gets drawn in through open pathways  and replaces the displaced warm air. This makes a home feel drafty and contributes to higher energy bills.  

Common air sealing materials include caulks, expanding foams, weather-stripping, gaskets, and insulation materials.

Paterson continued, “Sealing and insulating the outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors of a home is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. ENERGY STAR estimates that a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill) by sealing and insulating.”

Paterson recommends having a professional conduct a high tech comprehensive home energy audit to provide details on any additional energy saving measures a home owner should take to improve your home’s energy efficiency including insulation, doors, windows, air sealing, or energy efficient heating and cooling systems.  

Paterson’s company, New Buffalo Impact, conducts a comprehensive WholeHouse Energy Audit and performs the necessary home energy improvement work including installation and air sealing.

NBI works with home owners to identify, and use, various financial assistance programs.  More information on New Buffalo Impact is available online at www.newbuffaloimpact.com , or by e-mailing inquiry@newbuffaloimpact.com .

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New Buffalo Impact, Inc., (NBI), a Tonawanda, NY based home energy performance contractor, is now offering free comprehensive residential energy audits in conjunction with the Green Jobs-Green New York Program (GJGNY).