The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men. (Psalm 115:16, New King James Version)

Insulation

Nine out of ten homes in the U.S. are under-insulated, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

By slowing the transfer of heat between your house and the outdoors with insulation, you can help keep your space cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Adding insulation to your attic, flooring, basement, and crawl spaces can lower total energy costs by an average of 11 percent.

But saving on your energy bills is not the only advantage to adding insulation to your home.  You could also benefit from noise, dust and air pollution reduction, higher resale values, and of course it is good for the planet!

What do you do first?  Determine the R-Value that is needed.  This is contingent on where you live.  Although, here in northern Kentucky we are on the border of R-49 and R-38.  I spoke with some very helpful people at Jansen Heating and Air, and they assured me that we only need R-38.  There are many different types of insulation from rolls of fiberglass to wet sprays.  Some of these must be installed by professionals, but some can be done by you.  Check out this website for an explanation of products and a step-by-step process for doing it yourself. How to Shop for Home Insulation – Consumer Reports

A qualified technician can determine which insulation is best for your home based on its age, construction, and location, to mention a few.  If you already have insulation in your attic, remember, insulation does settle.  It is a good idea to make sure your insulation still meets the R-38 requirements.

$$Savings$$

You can deduct insulation expenses on your taxes. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 offers home energy tax credits of up to $1,200 for insulation upgrades. You can claim either the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit or the Residential Energy Clean Property Credit for qualifying improvements. As of Jan. 1, 2023, the credit equals 30% of certain qualified expenses, including insulation and air sealing materials or systems.  Check out this site for more information:  IRS.gov/homeenergy

Ky has applied to the Dept of Energy for State Rebates, but it has not currently had their application approved.

Duke will give you up to $250 for insulating and sealing if you meet their requirements.  Here’s a short video:  Smart $aver – Insulate and Seal – Duke Energy (duke-energy.com)

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-Terry David, God’s Green Team Member