Is Your Heat Seeping Out Of Your Windows? Insulation Tips That Will Save You Money

Winter is in full force in Oklahoma and you could be spending more money on your heating bill than you need to be. Drafty windows are one of the top ways for heat to escape your home. Making sure that windows are properly insulated is the best way to increase the energy efficiency of your home.

Test the windows in your home for drafts. Place a candle or tissue next to the window. If your see the flame on the candle flicker, or if the tissue flutters, then that means there is a draft coming from the window. The window should be insulated to keep heat in.

Here are a few insulation tips to consider when preparing your home for the chill of winter.

• Repair any cracked glass or damaged trim around the window. Most of the time drafts are caused by loose trim or the panels of the window. Replacing these or using caulk to seal the leaks will save a lot of heat. Like caulk, putty can be used to fill in cracks and air leaks in the wood paneling and trim work around the window.

• Single pane windows are a big source of heat loss in older homes. To keep from replacing the glass you can buy window insulating plastic. This is a sheet of place that is cut to fit over the window. It is hung around the edges of the trim tightly, and left up all winter.

• Another great insulation tip is to hang heavy curtains or drapes during the winter months. When coupled with storm windows and other insulation methods the drapes will help the home retain heat.

Saving money on utility bills is a big concern for many people, and by following a few insulation tips you can save a few bucks each month. You will also be a little warmer this winter. For more information on proper insulation of your home contact Air Assurance, providing quality service to the Tulsa metropolitan area for over 25 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Insulation Tips To Help You Choose The Right Type For Your Home Improvement Project

Tulsa Insulation Services

When you're adding a room or remodeling, insulation is a vital component to add to increase the comfort of the space indoors. The effectiveness of insulating materials is measured by its R-value, which is the term that describes how long the product resists temperature change in hours. If a material has an R-value of R-19, it means that it can resist a temperature change for 19 hours. Insulation is available in a number of different forms, including batt, loose, formed and liquid. Choosing the right kind depends on the project and where the material will be used.Batt Batts are easy to install and provide R-values based on the thickness of the material. Most often found as fiberglass or rock wool, the batts can be nailed or stapled between joists or studs. Thicker batts have higher R-values. The EPA recommends R-values of R-30 to R-60 in the attic and R-15 in the walls in this part of Oklahoma. Adding insulation to your basement ceiling or attic is an easy project with batts, since they unroll easily and the material is contained within protective outer covering.Blown-inWhen you need to add insulation to existing walls or new construction, blown-in provides good R-values and it can be easier to install than other kinds. Blown-in insulating materials are most often made from cellulose, 85 percent of which is recycled paper. The product is treated with borates as a fire retardant, which also protects against insect and rodent damage. Installers use a blower to add the material to attics and walls. The depth of the installation dictates R-value and thicker is always better.FoamWhen space is limited, whether for new construction or retrofitting, foam products provide the best values for resisting heat, with R-values that range from four to eight per inch. These are available as formed sheets or expanding urethane sprays. Insulating with expanding foam is more expensive than batt or blown-in.When you're planning to add to your home or do a home improvement project, contact Air Assurance. We can help you with planning the heating, ventilating and air conditioning, and yes, insulation,  for the space.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!     Insulation Maintenance image via Shutterstock