Keep your heat in with insulation and air sealing

By Efficiency NB

When looking at the costs to build a new home don’t forget to consider what the home will cost to actually live in! How much energy will you need for heat, hot water, appliances, and lights; and how much will that cost?

Making your home energy efficient is now more important than ever. An energy efficient home offers significant energy savings, increased resale value and has less impact on the environment.

A key characteristic in an energy efficient home is a high level of insulation and air tightness. From the basement to the ceiling, homeowners and builders should focus on achieving or exceeding minimum insulation standards for efficiency. Insulation performance is measured in R (imperial) or RSI (metric) values, the higher the R or RSI values the more effective the insulation.

Basement walls should have at least R20 and basement floors need R10. Don’t forget to pay close attention to seal any penetrations through the wall, such as sewer pipes, water mains, and also seal the floor header areas.

Above-grade (or above ground) walls need R24 insulation and any floors which are over unheated spaces such as a crawlspace or basement garage should have R28. Seal any wall penetrations such as electrical outlets, vent ducts, and any plumping or stacks against moisture and air leakage.

Ceilings in your home need a minimum of R40 insulation and don’t forget about the attic hatch! Caulk attic hatches around the framing, place weather-stripping where the hatch meets the frame and insulate to at least R-20 using rigid foam insulation.

Efficiency New Brunswick has programs that provide advice and incentives for making your new or existing home more energy efficient. For new homes there is also a checklist of energy efficiency features to include when building your home. For information and to get started with Efficiency NB’s programs call 1-866-643-8833 or click here.