Home re-insulation projects can reduce heating and cooling costs.
NewsUSA — Homeowners seeking to pad their homes and wallets should consider re-insulation projects that maximize energy efficiency year-round.
Simple, energy-saving practices will not only reduce heating and cooling bills every month, but also will result in a higher tax return next year.
The federal government expanded the scope of a tax credit program that rewards homeowners for energy-efficiency improvements, giving homeowners a prime opportunity to increase their homes’ efficiency. Homeowners are eligible to receive a 30 percent federal tax credit up to $1,500 for weatherization improvements in their homes through Dec. 31.
And as far as energy-efficient improvements are concerned, re-insulation is a smart solution for the near and short term.
“Most of the steps you can take to improve your home’s energy efficiency in the cooler winter months are equally as effective in the warmer summer months, when the thermal flows are simply reversed,” said Bohdan Boyko, building science manager with GreenFiber, a natural-fiber insulation product made from 85 percent recycled materials. “In most areas of the country, winter has the greatest temperature differences between inside and outside temperatures, but in either situation — summer or winter — a properly insulated home is one that will help cut energy bills, lower the home’s carbon footprint and help keep a family comfortable.”
Homeowners can find information on the benefits of re-insulation, including R-Value education, how to’s and tax credit information from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, at www.greenfiber.com
“Re-insulation is a fast and easy way to improve a home’s energy efficiency, often with little up-front cost,” Boyko said. “A blow-in insulation product will perform better than material that is cut to fit, because it provides complete coverage and fills gaps, unlike fixed-dimension insulation products.”
Do-it-yourselfers should have no difficulties renting equipment and tackling a blow-in insulation project in an afternoon.