With heating costs expected to rise across many northern states, including Illinois, this winter, many homeowners throughout Chicagoland are understandably concerned about keeping their homes warm without breaking the bank.
At ARC Insulation, we know how challenging it can be to balance comfort with affordability. The good news is, there is a way to prepare your home for higher heating bills without completely sacrificing how comfortable your home is. By making a few key energy efficient home improvements, your home can stay cozy and energy-efficient, even during the harshest Chicagoland winters.
Why Heating Costs Are Rising This Winter
According to recent reports, Illinois is expected to face some of the highest heating cost increases in the nation this winter. This increase is the result of a colder winter than last year, as well as a rise in natural gas prices. For many Chicagoland homes that suffer from insufficient insulation or air leaks, this can mean homes that are less comfortable, and more expensive!
Taking Control: Home Upgrades That Cut Heating Costs
You can’t control natural gas prices or the weather, but you can take steps to make your home more resilient to rising heating costs. Two of the most effective upgrades are improving your insulation and sealing all hidden air leaks. Here’s how it works:
Insulation
Insulation is the key to keeping the heat inside your home where it belongs. The heat inside your home will do everything it can to escape to the colder temperatures outside, including forcing its way through the roof, basement, and even the walls. Insulation significantly slows down this heat transfer, allowing you to get maximum comfort from your heating system while using minimal fuel.
At ARC Insulation, we specialize in high-performance cellulose insulation, which offers exceptional thermal protection and happens to be eco-friendly. Cellulose insulation works by creating a dense barrier that traps heat, keeping your home warm even on the coldest days. We often see significant improvements when we add insulation to:
- Attics: Heat rises, so an under-insulated attic is one of the biggest culprits of heat loss in your home.
- Basements: Insulating your basement helps prevent cold floors and improves the overall efficiency of your home.
Air Sealing
While insulation keeps heat from escaping through materials, air sealing addresses leaks where warm air slips out and cold air gets in. Even a properly insulated attic won’t be very effective if there are still air leaks allowing heat to freely move in and out. Leaks often occur in places you might not notice, such as:
- Around windows and doors
- At plumbing and electrical penetrations
- Along baseboards or in recessed lighting
Air leaks can account for a significant portion of your home’s heat loss. By professionally sealing these gaps and cracks, you’ll create a more airtight home that requires less energy to heat. When paired with insulation, air sealing creates a powerful combination for energy savings.
Seal Ductwork with AeroSeal
When ducts have leaks, heated air escapes before it reaches your living spaces, forcing your furnace or heat pump to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This not only leads to uneven heating but also increases energy consumption and utility bills. At ARC Insulation, we are certified and trained to use AeroSeal technology to seals leaks from the inside out by injecting a fine mist of sealant that finds and closes gaps throughout the duct system. By eliminating air leaks, AeroSeal ensures that more warm air reaches your home, reducing strain on your heating system, improving overall comfort, and lowering energy costs.
Financial Assistance and Incentives for Illinois Homeowners
Local utility programs and insulation rebates in Chicagoland can make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable. For example:
- Nicor Gas Rebates: Save up to $1,850 on insulation and weatherization services, including $500 for air sealing.
- Peoples Gas Home Energy Rebates: Receive up to $700 for insulation upgrades when paired with air sealing.
- Naperville Energy Efficiency Grant Program: Naperville Electric Utility customers can earn $1 per square foot, up to $2,500, for insulation upgrades, with additional savings when combined with energy-efficient windows.
- North Shore Gas Rebates: Get up to $700 for insulation improvements when combined with professional air sealing.
Federal Insulation Tax Credit
Homeowners can also take advantage of the federal Insulation Tax Credit, which allows you to claim up to 30% of the cost of insulation upgrades, including materials and professional installation, with a maximum benefit of $1,200 annually. By investing in insulation, you not only improve your home’s efficiency but also offset a significant portion of the costs through tax savings.
Stay Warm and Comfortable While Saving Money
Rising natural gas/energy prices and dropping temperatures may be inevitable, but high energy bills don’t have to be. By investing in how well your home performs and upgrading insulation and air sealing, you can reduce energy use, lower your bills, and enjoy a more comfortable home this winter.
