Energy Saving Tips- Mass Save

July has arrived and so have the heatwaves. It used to be said that to live through a New England summer without air conditioning makes you a true New Englander… but more and more of us are adding air-conditioning. 

If you want to enjoy instead of endure our four seasons of highs and lows, thinks about a balance of energy savers and mechanical improvements. There are things you can do to enjoy the more moderate summer days without air conditioning.

Mass Save is an energy savings program that will come out and complete a no-cost home energy assessment for homeowners. This audit will point out areas of your home has energy flaws in both heating and cooling. Once your assessment is complete you’ll receive a custom report and have the opportunity to receive rebates and incentives to act on your Energy Specialist’s recommendation. Learn more about Mass Save and other energy tips here.

Home Insulation

One of the prime sources of helping maintain a more constant temperature is your home’s insulation. The EPA estimates homeowners can save up to 15 percent in heating and cooling costs by air sealing and adding insulation. Most of us know our attic is one of the fastest places to lose heat in the winter. In the summer, the roof absorbs and stores heat in the attic and without good insulation, you end up with a large radiator that can make a 90-degree day more like a 100-degree night. A quick check will tell you if you are properly insulated in your attic floor- If you notice insulation is level at or just below the floor joists, you need more. If considering better insulation in your home, foam insulation use is on the rise. Though more expensive, it has a lot of qualities that make it the best value. Properly installed in the roof it will keep the attic from warming up. In the winter, it would reduce the chance of ice dams significantly and loss of heat via air flow.

In a Wellesley interior remodel below we also tackled an exterior renovation, improving the insulation from what had been installed during a renovation by the previous owners. Read more about our process of improving this home’s energy efficiency.

Also in a Wellesley remodel, the photo below illustrates a more common fiberglass insulation, used in this case to dissipate noise on the existing ceiling, and a new kitchen expansion where foam insulation was installed in the new roof assembly for a more comfortable dinette.