Expert Advice on Home Improvement

High energy bills are a concern of homeowners everywhere, but living through frigid Maine winters in a two-story house built in 1890 can pose a real challenge. To combat winter heating bills as high as $1,400 a month, Greg and Jennifer Quimby entered the Scariest Utility Bill in America contest sponsored by Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors. As the winners, their house was outfitted with new energy efficient windows and doors.

Attics, basements, and crawlspaces are the least frequented areas of a home, which is one of the reasons they often cause the most problems. A regular inspection can catch potential problems—like leaks, condensation, termite activity, or the growth of mold—before they become a major headache.

Even if your attic is well insulated, the folding stairs that provides access can be a major source of heat loss. They often are poorly sealed and provide only a thin piece of plywood to keep the heated air from escaping. Begin by checking to see if the attic stairs close tightly then apply self-adhesive foam weather stripping around the perimeter where the plywood door meets the frame, except on the hinge end.

One of the first steps in creating a green home is finding innovative, environmentally friendly products to incorporate into the construction or remodeling process. Green products are those manufactured from nontoxic, sustainable, or recycled materials. They also include items that save energy or can be easily recycled. Here are a few green products worth considering for your home.

David asks, “Could you wrap your house with a plastic vapor barrier on the outside before you brick it? If not why, because I’ve heard you can on the inside? I know you can use a Tyvek wrap, so why not plastic?”

David asks, “My house attic is insulated, but I noticed that the attic over the carport is not insulated. The carport is open on two sides. It joins the main house and both attics are open. Does it matter if the carport attic is not insulated?”

Every year around this time we hear about ways to save money on heating bills, but how long does it take to actually recoup the money spent on these investments? While all efforts to drive down the cost of keeping your home comfortable this winter have value, some pay off a lot quicker than others.

How well insulation works is expressed by its R-value, which is a measure of resistance to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the better it insulates. The amount of insulation recommended for your home is dependent on where you live, but here are some general guidelines.