Insulate Your Home

Summary: Air-sealing, Insulation

Description

If you live in an older home, the insulation in the walls may need be upgraded to meet modern energy efficiency standards. An older home most likely has around 250% more air leakage than a home built today — a lot of cold air sweeping into your home makes it uncomfortable and expensive to heat! We suggest properly insulating your home to save money and energy.

To learn more, click “Steps To Take” and "Deep Dive" on the tabs above.

Deep Dive

How can you tell if your walls are properly insulated and air sealed? 

You can find out with a no-cost home energy assessment. 

Are there any financial incentives available?

Sustainable action rebates are 50% off the cost of the project or materials, yet not to exceed $500 per year. All incentives will be processed in the form of a bill credit towards your account.  See https://www.lelwd.com/rebates/ for further information.  

How else can I improve my energy efficiency?

There are many more energy-efficient improvements you can make beyond insulation and air-sealing. LELWD has additional incentives - including receiving a $1,000 incentive for removing fossil fuel systems and converting to all electric!  Here are some other ideas for improvements, which may or may not be covered by the LELWD rebates:

1. Convert to an electric heat pump for heating and cooling
2. Convert to an electric heat pump water heater
3. Replace upper-level recessed light fixtures with insulated ones.
4. Install a draft stopper for your chimney
5. Put in a smart thermostat
6. Change to electric induction cooking
7. Carry out advanced air sealing through blower door-directed air sealing
8. Weather strip or replace drafty windows
9. Add heat recovery ventilation to improve air quality and preheat fresh air entering your home
10. Purchase selected ENERGY STAR-rated appliances: clothes washers, heat pump clothes dryers and dehumidifiers.

Steps to Take

Step 1: Sign up for a free home energy assessment through the Littleton Electric Light and Water Department (LELWD).

A professional energy adviser will evaluate your energy saving potential in specific areas of your home. Energy Advisers compile the data collected to produce a detailed evaluation and summary report of energy usage based on the assessment of the home. Findings are reviewed for potential energy efficiency improvements, and achievable energy savings are explained in your report. The assessment will evaluate a broad range of energy saving opportunities in the home, including appliances, windows and doors, insulation, heating/cooling, and lighting. The entire audit usually takes about 1.5 hours to complete.

Contact Energy New England for your free assessment at (888) 772-4242 to get started.

Don't heat or cool your home with electricity? The energy assessment will provide insights on ways to switch and if it makes sense for you. 

Step 2: LELWD Customers who have gone through an energy assessment are eligible to apply for rebates for their sustainable actions (which must first be recommended through an energy assessment). Qualifying sustainable actions may include weatherization, insulation, air sealing, or converting fossil fueled systems to electric systems. Learn more at LELWD's Sustainable Home Program.