Energize Connecticut Advises Home Owners to Assess and Properly Insulate Their Homes

NEW BRITAIN, Conn., March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As the winter weather begins to fade and the spring weather moves in, it is the perfect time for home owners to assess any damage caused by ice dams and properly insulate their homes. Assessing the damage and correcting the insulation will prepare home owners for the cooling season as well as next winter.

One of the biggest obstacles facing many Connecticut residents is improving the energy efficiency of their homes, and improving the insulation is a great way to begin. Sealing and insulating is one of the most cost-effective ways to make a home more comfortable and energy efficient. And with spring's not too hot, not too cold temperatures, this is the best time to get up into the attic to begin.

DON'T: Procrastinate… Insulate! Did you know that nearly half of a home's heat loss is due to poorly insulated attics, ceilings and walls? With proper sealing and insulation, customers can reduce their heating and cooling costs by 20 percent annually. 

Many people may not realize that even though they may have insulation in their attics, sealing attic air leaks will enhance the performance of the insulation and make for a much more comfortable home. Most homes in the United States do not have enough insulation and have significant air leaks. In fact, if you add up all the leaks, holes and gaps in a typical home's envelope, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year.

Common household leaks can include: behind knee walls, attic hatch, wiring holes, plumbing vents, open soffit (the box that hides recessed lights), recessed lights, furnace flue or duct chaseways, basement rim joists, windows and doors.

Sealing leaks and adding insulation will not only help homeowners save money and improve the overall comfort of your home, it will also help to fix many common problems, such as:

• Reduced noise from outside
• Less pollen, dust and insects (or pests) entering your home
• Better humidity control
• Lower chance for ice dams on the roof/eves in snowy climates

For homeowners who are looking for additional savings, home owners can take advantage of a more comprehensive program called Home Energy Solutions™ (HES) that is a complete home energy assessment and provides insight to those areas of your home that could be driving up your energy bills. By participating in the program, up to 50 percent of your insulation project could be covered by Energize Connecticut rebates and the insulation project may be eligible for a no-interest on utility bill repayment plan.

A home energy assessment is a major step in determining how much energy a home uses and what improvements can be made to save money and energy. The HES program offers on-the-spot services to homeowners and renters for immediate savings, as well as rebates and additional resources to achieve further savings.

About Energize Connecticut

Energize Connecticut helps you save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Clean Energy Finance & Investment Authority, the State, and your local electric and gas utilities, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy-saving programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling 1.877.WISE.USE.

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SOURCE Energize Connecticut