If you are looking for ways to reduce your energy use and make your house more comfortable, don’t overlook your crawlspace. Especially in older houses that were built before energy conservation was given much thought, crawlspaces were frequently finished with little or no insulation. By insulating your crawlspace or upgrading its existing insulation, you can reduce your utility bills while making it easier to evenly heat and cool your house.
You can inspect your crawlspace yourself to determine if it needs more insulation, or you can have a heating and air-conditioning specialist inspect it for you and recommend the best ways to insulate it. Here are some things to consider during the inspection:
- Is the space ventilated? If so, you should plan to stop air from leaking into your house by sealing openings for pipes, ducts and wiring between the crawlspace and the main floor.
- For a ventilated crawlspace, insulation of the subfloor will prevent energy losses between the crawlspace and main living area.
- Any plumbing or HVAC ducts that run beneath the insulation in a ventilated crawlspace should be individually insulated to prevent freezing and energy losses.
- If your crawlspace is not ventilated, you can insulate the foundation walls rather than the subfloor. Be sure to allow an adequate air supply and outside venting for your furnace or water heater if they are located in your unventilated crawlspace.
- Be sure to find out if radon gas is a problem in your neighborhood. If it is, you should plan to seal your crawlspace floor and provide for direct ventilation to the outside so radon does not leak into your living areas.
Once your inspection is complete, you can plan the best way to insulate your crawlspace. You may be able to do the work yourself, but turning the job over to an experienced professional will assure you the job will be done correctly.
Call Roth Heating & Cooling, Plumbing, Electrical, Drain Services at (503) 266-1249 for expert advice on insulating your crawlspace. We help homeowners throughout the Portland area find the most cost-effective ways to reduce their energy consumption without compromising the comfort of their families.
