Ways to make an old home more energy-wise

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

March 24, 2005

Could you tell me the pros and cons of blown-in insulation? My mother had it done about 30 years ago, and she claimed it had settled. Other people who have had it done have told me of mixed results. We just installed all new windows in our Colonial-style home, yet our fuel bill was $600 last month. We are seniors, do not qualify for programs sponsored by the New York State Office of the Aging and do not want to foot the bill for insulation with new siding, because we don't think we will be in our home more than 10 more years. -- Virginia S., Queens

Trying to improve the energy efficiency of an older home is not always easy. But new and improved building materials can make up for some things, including the outdated insulation practices of the 1950s. Blown-in insulation, also called loose fill, is one example. Your mother probably had a cellulose material blown into the interior of the wall cavity. Many of today's loose-fill products are made from fiberglass and contain an adhesive, so they resist the settling that was common to cellulose. Also, the most recent insulation materials are free of formaldehyde, a carcinogen, and a colorless, pungent gas that can irritate eyes and breathing passages. Two major insulation manufacturers, Owens Corning (www.owenscorning .com) and Johns Manville (www.johnsmanville.com), have excellent information about loose-fill material on their Web sites. These products must be installed by a professional, and each Web site has a search engine for finding local installers. I also would re-examine financial programs for seniors sponsored by the New York State Office for the Aging. Low-interest loans and grants are available for seniors who struggle to pay energy bills, can't finance a larger home-improvement project or have home-maintenance issues. For those who may qualify, visit www.aging.state.ny.us/findhelp /guide.

Finally, don't dismiss the idea of new siding, which probably means adding house wrap and rigid foam board to the exterior walls. These insulating materials could make for a more energy-efficient house and reduce utility bills. If you spend only 10 more years in the house, shouldn't you be both comfortable and energy-wise?