Repeat after me: insulation and windows. They are absolutely the two most critical components of an energy-efficient home.
While it might seem ludicrous to even be having this conversation while temps are well into the 80s, it's actually the perfect time. There are still a few months to save some money, get some bids or research doing the work yourself so that come November you're snug as a bug in a rug.
First up, windows. They should be double-paned and argon-filled. They should definitely have screens, so as to encourage open windows as opposed to air conditioning (like, duh, right?). The ever-helpful Energy Star rates windows and
provides lots of information
here as to what constitutes an "Energy Star" window. It also supplies handy information on the tax rebate homeowners are eligible to receive on their federal taxes.
If new windows are just not in the budget, consider
weather-stripping the ones you have, along with your doors. Every little bit helps.
Now onto insulation. If you live in an older home, chances are high that your insulation has settled or is otherwise compromised. A relatively simple -- albeit messy and time-consuming -- do-it-yourself project is blowing insulation into your walls. You have to drill a row of holes (two between each set of studs) near the top of every wall in the house and with a rented blower, fill up the space between your interior and exterior walls with
recycled newspaper.
Home Depot rents the blowers for free if you buy 20 or more bales of insulation -- my 1300-square feet house inhaled 17 of them when I undertook the task last fall. My neighbor and I ended up buying our bales together to save on the rental.
It was a pain, but ended up being totally worth it. My house was appreciably cozier last winter and it forced me to update my wall paint.
Even better, the purchase cost of the insulation was tax-deductible.
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh
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