If we all insulated our attics to R-49, imagine the difference we could make. "An estimated 60 million American homes are under-insulated, and their owners face not only higher energy costs, they're also emitting up to one half-ton more CO2 every year(2) than their properly-insulated neighbors."
In addition to adding insulation to your attic, the following tips will help you to reduce your home's energy usage and carbon footprint.
Ventilate Your Attic
A significant part of a home's ability to stay cool happens in the attic. A properly ventilated attic gives trapped heat an escape route. It may take a combination of soffit and ridge vents to do the job but the result will improve overall home energy efficiency -- and will extend the life of your roof shingles too.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Why cool the house when nobody's home? A programmable thermostat can automatically lower or raise a home's air temperature during the day. By regulating the temperature, homeowners can save up to 10 percent on annual heating and cooling costs.
Plug the Drafts
Sealing the envelope of the home is the first line of defense against air infiltration from outdoors, so it's important to caulk and weather-strip around all seams, cracks and openings. Pay special attention to windows and electrical outlets. Unwanted air leakage alone can raise energy bills up to 10 percent.
Take a Home Energy Audit
Understanding how much energy a home uses helps homeowners determine what changes will save them the most energy and money. For an easy home energy audit, check out http://1-800-usa-home.com/attic-insulation.html.