(BPT) - Relocating from a Northern region to a Southern U.S. state can provide a mild respite from frigid winters. However, if problems exist within your new home's energy infrastructure, moving to a warmer climate zone could potentially be followed by your energy bills heating up. Still, there are steps homeowners can take to keep their cool and keep their budget on track — even in Southern climate zones. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, even modest weatherization measures like air sealing and increasing the quality and thickness of attic insulation can reliably reduce energy usage by 12%-18%.1*
Consider Climate and Location
IECC residential construction energy codes for different climate zones take temperature and humidity into consideration. These codes primarily aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce building energy consumption, which in turn, with proper levels of materials like attic insulation, also help support comfort. For example, the recommended level of insulation for homes in west Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California (climate zones 1A-3A) is a minimum of 13-14 inches — sufficient for an R-Value of 38.2 The R-Value is a measure of insulation's ability to resist heat traveling through it. Inside a home's attic, insulation helps keep warm air from passing into cooler parts of the home. In cool weather, insulation works to keep warm indoor air from moving to the cooler outside.
Beyond supporting comfort inside a home's living spaces, an adequate amount of insulation in the home's attic can help keep energy bills in check. Energy Star estimates that a home with low insulation levels could have utility bills that are 10% higher than a home that is well sealed and insulated.2
In addition to adding insulation, other steps to support energy efficiency include repairing or retrofitting ducts and ensuring that a home's attic is inspected by a contractor who brings a whole home approach to caring for a home's air.
Considering a move to a warmer climate zone? Follow these tips to help reduce your home's energy use, potentially leading to lower utility bills and better comfort in every season.
Assess Attic Insulation: If a home's attic floor joists are not buried in insulation, that's a good sign that more insulation is needed. Measuring attic insulation is the first step in getting the insulation level right. An Owens Corning AirCare® Professional will measure the thickness of attic insulation and provide a recommendation on the appropriate level to support comfort, improve energy efficiency and care for the air throughout the whole home. How much can installing sufficient attic insulation reduce energy bills? Savings may vary depending on the project, but Energy Star estimates that the average savings may be up to 15%.3
Check out the Ductwork: An efficient duct system is a prerequisite for a comfortable and energy-efficient home. A home's ducts — known collectively as the air distribution system — carry air from the central air conditioner (or furnace in the winter) to each part of the home and back again. Energy Star reports that in a typical house, about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.2 Even the most energy-efficient HVAC equipment will not deliver its full value if the ducts that deliver air are compromised. Additionally, holes and loose connections can allow dust and particulates in attic air to infiltrate into other parts of the home, affecting indoor air quality. An Owens Corning AirCare® Professional is trained to look for ductwork issues and may use special tools, such as thermal imaging, to identify where air is exiting ductwork, plus provide strategies for mitigating duct issues.
Look for Signs of an Issue: When shopping for a home, stay alert to signs that may indicate an issue in the attic. Are some rooms warmer than others? Do some rooms smell musty or have an unusual odor? Can you feel warm air infiltrating from attic access doors? Is condensation, which can support mold formation, visible in the attic? Any of these indicators may be a sign of issues in the attic.
Bring a Whole Home Approach to AirCare: Reviewing a home's energy bills and records of maintenance performed on the heating and cooling system may provide an indication of monthly utility bills and how well equipment is functioning. And when you move into your new home, choose a contractor who is trained to care for air in the whole home. To find an Owens Corning AirCare® professional, visit the Owens Corning online contractor locator.
