It’s starting to get cold here in Western Massachusetts. The nights are slowing dipping into the freezing temperatures and soon enough, the days will be too. Staying comfortable, warm and cozy at home is one of the only consolations of a cold, hard winter. Fortunately, you can truly enjoy the cold months in your Pioneer Valley home by adding insulation.

Your home’s building envelope consists of its thermal boundary (made up of insulation) and a pressure boundary, or the air sealed area of the home. In order to ensure true comfort and efficiency during any season, the building envelope has to be intact. This means that insulation has to have a high thermal resistance or R-value, while cracks and gaps in the structure have to be air sealed. Adding insulation this winter can help in many different ways, including:

1. Improving Home Comfort

Additional insulation increases the overall R-value of what’s already in your home. Unfortunately, most homes in the Western Massachusetts area are under-insulated. By adding insulation, your home will be more comfortable and warm, since it will be able to keep the heat in.

2. Minimizing Monthly Utility Bills

Due to increased insulation’s ability to keep your home warmer during the cold months, your heating unit won’t be working overtime to keep you warm. Since your furnace or other heating unit won’t be working as hard, you’ll be saving energy and minimizing your monthly utility bills.

3. Preventing Ice Dams from Forming

Ice dams that tend to form during extreme winters endanger your home’s structure. The water that backs up behind ice dams on roofs can damage ceilings, walls and other areas. Increased insulation and thorough air sealing, particularly in the attic, can help prevent ice dams from forming.

4. Reducing Humidity in Your Home

Insulation and air sealing can reduce humidity in your home. In some areas of your house, humidity can skyrocket, causing mold and other unpleasant and potentially dangerous moisture issues. With an appropriately-maintained building envelope, your home will be less likely to have a buildup of humidity, decreasing the chances of moisture problems.

5. Lowering Your Home’s Carbon Footprint

Since increased insulation helps to keep the heat your heating unit is producing indoors, it won’t have to work as hard to maintain a warm, comfortable temperature. By working less, your heating unit will be producing fewer carbon emissions, therefore reducing your home’s carbon footprint.

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About Energia

We are socially responsible energy services contractor located in Holyoke, MA serving western Massachusetts and beyond. As the area's leading energy efficiency contractor we have the capacity to handle any project. We have a track record of being the go-to contractor for projects that are going deeper including projects seeking to meet Energy Star, LEED, Passive House, and the Living Building Challenge.