Insulation can be expensive. Thousands of dollars expensive. Yet with proper insulation you can save up to 50% on your electricity bills, thus reducing the amount of energy spent on keeping your home at a comfortable temperature year round. These two facts make insulation both desirable and yet challenging to achieve.

So how can you insulate your home and still have enough for the groceries? There are many small fixes that can be made at a fraction of the price of professional installation. Then there's the option of doing it yourself; however, if you are not inclined to don a pair of goggles and working boots, then you had better call the professionals. If you are the DIY type, you can learn where to track down air leaks, how to plug up some of those leaks in the name of frugality, what materials to use for insulating your home, and, if all else fails: where to find an affordable contractor.

Tracking Down Air Leaks

Air leaks are everywhere; around doors, windows, even electrical outlets. In fact, having an air leak in your home can add as much as 20% to your bills. Leaks also infiltrate your home with moisture-filled air, increasing the chances of mold, condensation, and rot in certain places. Taking a walk around the house to discover these draft areas can be useful as you determine your next steps.  Check for airflow in/near:

• Electrical outlets ---caulking should be properly applied, leaving no gaps.
• Switch plates
• Window frames--windows should not shake or rattle, if you see light, then air is probably escaping
• Baseboards--no gaps or cracks should be here
• Weather stripping around doors--look for gaps or cracks; a lack of weather stripping also explains cold air
• Fireplace dampers
• Attic hatches
• Wall- or window-mounted air conditioners.                                                    

Sound complicated and time consuming? Then contact a service like GreenHomes  America   to complete an energy audit of your home.

Weatherizing with a Frugal Mind

After you've completed your air leak search, you will need to start sealing them. Of the cheaper choices to bolstering your home against weather, these five activities are the most popular, easy, and inexpensive to do.  The US Department of Energy also provides  tips for sealing air leaks.

Caulking

Caulking is only recommending for cracks and gaps up 1-quarter-inch-wide, but creates an effective seal. You can use caulking in places like baseboards and door frames. For detailed instructions on where and how to use caulking, click here.

Storm Windows

Storm windows trap "dead air" between the storm and the stationary window, sealing the cold air in and stopping air drafts. They require little time and investment and can be found at your local Home Depot. 

Plastic Film

Sealing your windows with plastic film can also create dead air and prevent air drafts. Buy a kit from conservationmart.com or Home Depot.

Bubble Wrap

Bubble Wrap: fun and useful for more than packing! All you need is bubble wrap, an exacto knife and a spray bottle and you can insulate your windows for next to nothing (especially if you already have these items!) The water holds the bubble wrap to the window.  Spray the window with water. Press the bubble side to the window. Use the exacto knife to trim the excess wrap away.

Naturally Green Materials

Insulation performance is measured by its R-value, which determines how well the material resists heat flow. The higher the resistance, the higher the R-value.  Though standard R-value varies from state to state, R-13 exterior walls and R-38 ceilings is recommended in most areas. The following materials are just a few of your natural insulation choices.

 

Recycled Denim
 A low chemical option for those with allergies, cotton is sprayed with the same borate-base fire retardant.

Cellulose
Made from shredded, fluffed-up newsprint containing 85 percent recycled material and 15 percent borate-based fire retardant.

Hemp
Natural moth and insect resistant, this resource is mixed with a nominal amount of polyester for reinforcing.

Green insulation doesn't necessarily have to be completely natural, though that is a safer route for those with allergens. Foams made with agricultural materials instead of petroleum-derived materials and mineral wool also make good insulators. Additionally, many manufacturers are beginning to use recycled materials to create fiberglass.

Find a Contractor

Average Pricing: According to CostHelper.com, pricing per project can start as a few hundred for your ceiling to thousands of dollars for the entire house. However, if you can break up the project into affordable sections, do it!  A little caulking here and some plastic wrap there will suffice as you tackle each part of your home.

Typical costs: These are all rough estimates that take into account the desired R-value of materials, local climate, size, and local economy

Attic

• 0.50 -$2.25 per square foot
•  $400 -$1,800 for an 800 square foot space,
• Typical attic insulation averages $750 -$1,100.
• Roll-out batting (DIY project) can run $100 -$500

Blow insulating a flat roof, cathedral ceiling or wall cavities

• $2 -$3.50 a square foot
•  $1,000 -$3,500 for filling 1,000 square feet of empty wall or roof space

Complete Insulation

•  $2,000 -$10,000 or more
• averages $2,500 -$5,500

The Search: When shopping for home insulation, be prepared by knowing what R-value your home needs as well as estimate pricing for contractors in your area. The US Department of Energy's ZIP-Code Insulation Program will supply you with specific recommendations and estimates.

Contract referrals can be found through Insulation Contractors Association of America and the National Insulation Association. You should also take the following steps:

• Call around, get several estimates, and ask for a detailed description in writing of what is and is not included in each quote.
• Request and check references; making note of the contractor's length and type of experience.
  
• Make sure they're insured and licensed in your state.
  
• Consult the Better Business Bureau for a history of your contractor.
  

More help: SimplyInsulate.com provides a checklist of things you should know about hiring a professional contractor including how to judge her reliability.

The Pay Off:  Not only will this singular investment pay itself off within a comfortable time slot of one to two years, but you can also receive tax credit up to $1,500 when you make energy saving changes in your home.  While the tax credit does not count for installation costs, if you do the project yourself, then you can qualify for the credit.

Safety Measures

 If you're going to go it alone, make sure you've acquired adequate research.  Here is a list of resources that can help you navigate your way through home insulation.

www.thisoldhouse.com: Read about insulation, watch how-to videos, and get advice from experts in the field.

Need more info on air sealing? Click here.

 Read a detailed explanation of various new insulation materials from fiber to foam.

Read helpful articles on weatherizing your home, then shop the store for energy conserving products at www.conservationmart.com

Energy Efficient "Eco Options" by Home Depot: Click here