Air sealing and insulation are the first and most important investments many people should make in their home’s energy system. Insulation prevents heat from escaping in the winter and entering in the summer and can lower heating and air conditioning bills by 15% or more. Although walls, floors, and ceilings all require adequate insulation, a quick way to assess your house is to look in the attic: if you can see the joists in an unfinished attic, you probably don’t have enough. In Iowa’s climate zone, ceiling/attic insulation rated at R-49 or R-60 is recommended, entailing a minimum 14 inches of batting or blown-in material. Because insulation degrades over time, consider replacement if it’s 20-30 years old. Of the many types of insulation, some are DIY while others need a professional. All require both sealing air leaks and ventilation to function properly. A “This Old House” article on insulation is a good resource for beginners; this video from the Nebraska Energy Assistance Network might help too.
The recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act provides up to $1,200/year for insulation, air sealing, and other energy-saving upgrades in noncommercial homes (including rentals) and this “resets” every year to pay for new projects. For low-income households in Johnson County (80% of median household income or less than $50,000), up to 100% of costs of upgrades will be covered by point-of-sale rebates; for moderate income ($50,000 – 94,000), 50% of costs are covered. These programs will be rolled out beginning in 2023 and lasting until 2033, so start planning soon!
Read the entire Good Energy Newsletter, Winter 2022