Two important steps to prevent the waste of energy in your home are to increase insulation and stop air leaks. New homes are constructed with superior insulation so they are usually very energy efficient. If you live in an older home that hasn't been renovated, it probably wastes a lot of energy, and that means your power bills are higher than they need to be. Consider these suggestions for making your older home more energy efficient:

Add Insulation To The Attic

You can add insulation to your attic yourself and do it rather inexpensively if you use fiberglass batt insulation that comes on rolls. First, check that your old insulation is still good because if it is damp, moldy, matted, or has a foul odor, you want to remove it before you put down new insulation. If your old insulation is still fluffy and in good shape, you can apply new insulation on top of it for improved performance. Just roll out the material and make sure there are no gaps around the edges. One drawback of fiberglass batt insulation is that it doesn't conform to odd shapes. It comes in standard sizes to fit on an unfinished attic floor. You may need to adjust it to close gaps or use a can of spray foam insulation or caulk to seal air leaks along with using the batt insulation.

If you have a larger budget, you may want to hire a contractor to install spray foam insulation in the attic. This foamy material oozes into cracks and gaps as it expands and dries so it acts as insulation and an air leak filler at the same time.

Fill Exterior Walls With Insulation

It's possible to add insulation to your exterior walls without tearing out the walls or drywall. You can do this by having insulation blown into the wall cavity. To do this, the contractor drills a small hole in an exterior wall so a delivery hose will fit. Then insulation is blown into the cavity to fill it. Once that's done, the hole is filled and the siding replaced. Improving insulation in your walls helps control the climate in your home and doubles as soundproofing too.

Apply Caulk And Weatherstripping

Air leaks in your home counteract insulation, so you need to locate the leaks and close them. Window and door frames are places that usually leak air, and you'll also want to check around pipes and vents that pass through the roof or side of your home. If your windows are drafty, you may need to buy storm windows or cover them with plastic sheeting during extremely cold weather to stop leaks and add a small layer of insulation. Also, be sure to check under the doors of your home for a gap that allows air to blow through.

These steps help your home stay more comfortable and lower your power bill. If you have a large budget, you can also consider installing energy-efficient windows, doors, and garage door to further protect your home from heat loss on cold winter days. Contact a company like Green Improvement Consulting for more information and assistance.