This year’s cold winter has resulted in some of the fastest-rising energy costs Chicagoland homeowners have seen in recent years. High utility bills are especially noticeable during January and February, when daily temperatures rarely go above freezing.
Many homeowners are feeling the financial pinch and are looking for ways to reduce their winter heating costs. Energy efficiency upgrades can help by reducing wasted energy and lowering how much you use. Here, we’ll discuss the factors that may be behind your home’s high utility bills and what you can do to enjoy greater winter energy savings, now and moving forward.
The Biggest Drivers of High Winter Heating Costs in Your Home
You’re likely overpaying for your heating bills. This might have been going on for so long that you consider it normal. Understanding the root causes of poor thermal efficiency informs you on how to make lasting changes.
Poor Insulation Throughout the Home
Low-quality or lacking insulation is a major culprit. It’s particularly problematic in older homes, but new construction can be just as susceptible, especially when corners are cut during building.
Older homes had very different standards for insulation when they were originally built. Building science was less developed, recommended insulation levels were lower, and insulation material choice was limited. Today, homeowners can upgrade their aged insulation with a larger selection of high R-value insulation materials, such as:
- Blown-in insulation — ideal for retrofit work.
- Cellulose — environmentally-friendly and noise-dampening.
- Spray foam — offers the highest insulation value and is ideal for attics and basements.
Drafts and Air Leaks
Energy Star reports that air leakage can account for 25-40% of the energy used for heating and cooling in a home. Due to the stack effect, warm air naturally rises in a home. When there are air leaks in the attic, your heat easily escapes, becoming wasted. Leaks can also cause pressure imbalances that disturb the flow of warm and cool air throughout the home.
Duct Leaks in the HVAC System
Ductwork should be fully sealed in a forced-air heating system. Minor leaks can release a substantial amount of energy into areas of the home that have no use for it. This causes your HVAC system to work harder and drive up heating bills.
Like air leaks, duct leaks can also cause pressure imbalances. Supply duct leaks specifically create negative pressure in the home, causing higher-pressure air from the outdoors to force its way in.
How to Achieve Lower Utility Bills in Naperville and Chicagoland
Poor insulation, draftiness, and duct leaks can all be resolved by a quality contractor. An energy assessment is a great starting point to identify your house’s weak points. From there, your contractor can create a clear plan to ensure your energy efficiency upgrades provide a direct return on investment.
Here are a few of the most effective ways to reduce heating bills in Illinois:
- Upgrade Your Insulation: You can use the results of your energy assessment to target areas of the home with low-performing or inadequate insulation. Focusing on basement, attic, and garage insulation is typically the best option for retrofit applications.
- Invest in Weatherization and Air Sealing: Optimizing your building envelope with air sealing and weatherization can have an immediate and noticeable effect on your energy bills. AeroBarrier offers a high level of air tightness and can typically be completed in less than a day, depending on the size of the home.
- Invest in Duct Sealing: Duct sealing with AeroSeal offers superior coverage and can close gaps up to 1/2”. Making your ducts air-tight will improve the operational efficiency of your HVAC system and promote long-term performance.
Find Quality, Home Performance Solutions with ARC Insulation
Since 1993, our team at ARC Insulation has helped improve over 30,000 homes in the area. We are a BPI-certified building analyst with specific certifications in air sealing, insulation, and building envelopes.
As a local, family-owned business, we have a deep understanding of home insulation in Chicagoland and the financial burdens customers face from high heating bills. We assist with rebate qualifications at the national level, and with local utility providers like Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas, and the Naperville Energy Efficiency Grant Program, all to ensure that our customers get the value they deserve.
