Curious how to make a big impact on your home’s energy use? Stephen Lee, professor in Carnegie Mellon’s School of Architecture, explains how home insulation makes all the difference.

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Tips on Saving Money and Energy at HomeTips on Saving Money and Energy at Home from the U.S. Department of Energy

Energy Efficient Home Design from the U.S. Department of Energy

9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient from the U.S. Green Building Council

Transcript

HOST: Have you wondered what is the most cost-effective action you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home? On this week’s Energy Bite, Stephen Lee, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has some answers.

LEE: The most effective energy conservation strategy for your home is insulating the roof and walls. Roofs are typically the easiest retrofit as you can add more insulation on top of what is already there and it is usually easily accessible. Walls, however, can be more challenging, as insulation must be placed in the cavity between the inside and outside walls.

HOST: How does increasing insulation in your home compare to increased use of renewable energy?

LEE: You will realize the same energy efficiency from spending $1 on insulation for your home as you would get for spending $8 on renewable energy, such as adding solar panels to your roof. In a traditional Pittsburgh home built before insulation was commonly used, you will pay back the cost of adding insulation to your home in less than three years, and you’ll be warm and comfortable during cold weather!

HOST: Would you invest in more insulation for your home? Take our poll, see the results, and ask your energy questions at Energy Bite dot org.

ANNOUNCER: Energy Bite is a co-production between 90.5 WESA and Carnegie Mellon’s’ Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.