Seal Air Leaks | Insulate Electrical Outlets

Many homes feature fiberglass batt insulation that creates small gaps around electrical outlets and light switches. Along exterior walls, these gaps are prime places for air leaks that lessen the energy efficiency of your home. You can fill these gaps with small bits of fiberglass or a foam pad, but the best way to eliminate these air leaks is by spraying a foam insulator. This post will share how... 

Tax Credits for Insulation

This article is part of our home tax credits series. The information contained in this article is not tax advice. You should consult a qualified tax professional before acting on the information in this article. You probably already know that the 2009 energy tax credits were extended through the end of 2010. Those credits include 30% back, up to $1500, on insulation products installed in a primary... 

Energy Savings from Spray Foam Insulation

We just received our energy bill for December and January; this is the first bill that shows the full effect of installing spray foam insulation in our basement. Recall that last year our basement was entirely uninsulated. The only thing between us and the elements were cinder blocks with basement waterproof sealer applied to them. Our first floor flooring was freezing, and the entire house was drafty.... 

Insulate Band Board / Rim Joist To Block Air Infiltration into a Basement

If your looking for ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home, you might turn to the area of your unfinished basement ceiling where the joists meet the sill plate (at the top of the wall) and the rim joist (or band board) at the edge of the house. It’s in this area that most of the air infiltration into a basement takes place, and an area where you can make a significant improvement... 

Installing Spray Foam Insulation Video

We love sharing unique experiences with our readers and I think today’s post is a real treat! Fred and I had the pleasure of filming Hottle Energy Solutions as they insulated Fred’s basement with spray foam. We worked hard to put out a really comprehensive, high-quality video that will address many different aspects of spray foam installation. If you enjoy the video, please consider linking... 

IC vs. Non-IC Recessed Can Lights: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to recessed can lighting, “IC” means “insulation contact”. IC-rated cans (usually labeled as “IC-rated” or simply “IC”) are appropriate for attic installations and anywhere else you plan to have insulation touching the can’s housing. Non-IC cans (almost always labeled “Non-IC”) must have an air gap (3″ or more) between... 

Basement Wall Insulation Options

We’re just about ready to insulate an unfinished basement game room and this post reviews a number of options for achieving maximum efficiency in basement insulation installations. The article begins with an overview of the basement area and then provides a summary of insulation options. Before we get started, if you are at all considering having your basement insulated by a contractor, we highly... 

Blue Jean Insulation

Want to make your blue jeans green? Use them to insulate your home. I came across some interesting information online and thought I’d share / get some reader feedback. Insulating with Blue Jeans Bonded Logic has developed a process to take old, worn out jeans and recycle them to create insulation. Their UltraTouch insulation has 85% post-industrial recycled natural fibers. They treat the cotton... 

Insulate Your Hot Water Heater for Energy Savings

Becoming more energy efficient is a great way to help preserve the planet and save money at the same time. Insulating your hot water heater is one quick way to do just that. All you need is an insulation blanket and some duct tape. Note: You should always follow the insulation manufacturer’s instructions for installing hot water heater blankets. General information follows; but should not be...