Insulated Basements Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Thursday, January 24th, 2013
Most of us understand the importance of insulation inside a home but we sometimes forget one of the biggest areas of winter heat loss - the basement. While it’s true that hot air rises, heat actually moves from a warmer room to a colder one. In the colder weather, the temperature in your basement can be thirty degrees colder than your main living area. This results in a huge amount of heat and money being lost right from under your feet. Insulating your basement can reduce this heat loss dramatically and save you some money on your energy bills.
Choosing the right way to insulate your basement depends on two things, if your basement is “conditioned” or “unconditioned”. A conditioned basement, which is usually a finished basement, is an insulated space of the home that is heated and cooled. If you have a conditioned basement you need to find out if it already has insulation. A home energy audit is an easy way to help you figure this part out. A home energy audit is performed by a certified specialist who will come to your home and use special equipment and cameras to determine the areas where air is “leaking” out or into your home. Once you’ve established if the area has insulation, you can add more if needed or replace it. Most conditioned basements can use a bit more insulation in the walls and floor.
Unconditioned just means that the basement is left in the original state. With an unconditioned basement you have several choices. You can insulate the walls, ceiling, floors or all three. The Basement To Beautiful™ Basement Wall Panels are the superior choice for a dry, energy-efficient basement. Designed with the unique SilverGlo™ graphite-infused foam insulation, this insulation provides 24% more energy-saving than conventional foam products. At 2 ½" thick and R-13 insulation, Basement To Beautiful™ panels create a warm, protective blanket around your basement that will never rot or support mold growth. The Basement To Beautiful™ Wall Panels form an unbroken sheet of insulation on your basement walls and provide a waterproof vapor barrier. The Basement To Beautiful™ wall panels are also compatible with our drain systems and have built-in electrical outlets and chases to allow for electrical installation. This basement wall insulation is created with inorganic materials, which means that it will never support the growth of mold, mildew or rot. The system is designed to attach directly to your basement walls. Metal studs are integrated with the foam and do not touch the concrete basement walls so you don’t lose any heat.
A report by the U.S. Department of Energy has shown that the annual energy savings of insulating your basement walls can be in excess of $350 in some regions. Basement wall insulation will also make your home a healthier, more comfortable space that you and your loved ones will actually want to be in! If your home has little or no insulation at all, heat will evaporate faster, causing your heating system to work harder and less efficiently. Having the right amount of insulation properly installed will allow you to use your heating and cooling system less, keeping your house more energy-efficient.
Northern Basement Systems services all of Vermont and New Hampshire including: Laconia, Burlington, Keene, Rutland, Essex Junction, Barre, Colchester, Brattleboro, Bennington, South Burlington, Saint Albans (St Albans), Concord, Claremont, Montpelier, Milton, Berlin, Middlebury and surrounding areas.
