Is Your Heating Cost Going Through the Roof? 

Home heating is arguably more expensive than ever before, but what if this question isn’t just an expression and a large amount of your home’s heat is literally going out through the roof?  

Years of rising energy costs are making homeowners across the United States nervous as winter’s frigid temperatures approach. A recently published National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) report anticipated that home heating for the 2022/2023 winter season would increase by more than 35% from the winter before.  

Now, for the 2023/2024 winter season, NEADA is reporting an expected drop of 7.8% in the cost of natural gas. However, for homeowners using heating oil, prices are projected to rise by more than 8%. This means that millions of people just like you are bracing for another budget-busting winter.  

What if the key to reducing energy costs lies not only in managing your thermostat effectively, but also in upgrading your attic’s insulation?  

Reasons to Install Attic Insulation 

If you remember your high school science classes, you already know that heat rises. That’s part of the reason attic insulation is so critical to maintaining your home’s comfort, but that’s not the only advantage. Benefits of insulating your attic also include the following: 

Reduce Energy Costs 

Attic insulation has the power to keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer. In reducing heat transfer and eliminating air leaks, you can not only live more comfortably but also save money while you do. According to Energy Star, homes in this region can save up to 18% on energy costs by sealing air leaks and improving their insulation. 

Minimize Strain on HVAC Systems 

Without adequate attic insulation, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system will have to work harder to maintain interior temperatures. Overworked HVAC appliances are more prone to breaking down frequently. Conversely, by minimizing strain, you can extend the life of these appliances and save money on repairs.  

Protect Your Home’s Structure 

Uninsulated or under-insulated attics can create interstitial condensation, which is moisture between layers of the roof caused by the mix of warm air rising from the attic and meeting the cool outdoor temperatures. This condensation can damage roofing materials. Rising heat can also cause large icicles and ice dams, which could result in significant damage to your home and gutters. 

Seal Air Leaks 

Air leakage can lead to moisture problems in addition to letting hot air in and heated air out. Insulating your attic can stop air leaks, providing more even temperatures and minimizing drafts. Products like spray foam insulation provide excellent heat resistance while conforming to the space and sealing any gaps and cracks.  

Increase Home Value 

Insulation provides a 117% return on the investment, on average. In addition to offering substantial energy savings, it may also increase the value of your home. Remodeling magazine estimates that when you sell your home, buyers will be willing to pay an average of $1,446 more if it contains premium insulation. 

Attic Insulation 101 

Heat leaks, poor ventilation, and under-insulation could be costing you more than you think. Attic insulation absorbs the heat rising from the rest of your home, preventing it from escaping and keeping your home warmer in winter. It can also prevent hot air from spreading from the attic throughout the rest of the home, helping keep interiors cooler during warm weather.  

Working with the experts at Standard, you can determine when and if insulation is needed to upgrade your attic’s energy efficiency. Sealing and insulation can help you save money while enjoying improved comfort.  

When to Replace Your Existing Insulation 

The Insulation Institute estimates that 90% of U.S. homes lack adequate insulation. How can you tell if your attic needs an upgrade?  

Look at the Thickness or Volume: In the Mohawk Valley and Capital Region, you should have at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic.  

Do a Quick Visual Inspection: Can you see the joists? If you can see support beams in your attic, you don’t have enough insulation. 

Check Your Bills: Unexplained rising energy costs and frequent HVAC repairs could be a strong indicator that your insulation is failing. Other signs include ice dams in winter and hot spots in summer.  

How to Save Money on Home Energy Costs 

At Standard, we take a whole-home approach to energy efficiency, with the ultimate goal of saving you money. To achieve that goal, the importance of a free home energy audit can’t be understated. During the assessment, technicians perform a combination of visual inspections and specialized testing. This process allows us to calculate how your home uses energy and find the areas in need of improvement.  

At the end, we will provide comprehensive recommendations, which may include: 

• Upgrading or replacing insulation 
• Replacing outdated HVAC equipment  
• Switching to a heat pump for more efficient heating and cooling 
• Replacing hot water heaters 
• Sealing air leaks 

Next Steps: Affording Energy Upgrades with Standard 

Standard has helped thousands of Upstate New Yorkers save money on the energy efficient improvements they need. More than 90% of homeowners and renters qualify for free or low-cost improvements. Grant and rebate programs like EmPower+ make energy efficiency more accessible than ever. Additionally, Standard offers attractive financing options to make the process smooth and simple.  

Schedule Your Free Home Energy Audit Today 

The first step to upgrading your attic’s energy efficiency and saving money on your home energy costs is to get an energy audit. Our NATE-certified technicians will go top-to-bottom assessing your home, pinpointing trouble spots, and explaining everything to you. Depending on their findings, we will walk you through all available incentives and make a plan to help you start saving money as soon as possible.  

Contact us to get started with your free home energy audit.