FHA 203k loan - Increase Energy Efficiency
Insulating your house can can be a great way to conserve energy and reduce your heating and cooling bills. FHA’s 203k home renovation loan can provide you 
with money for this upgrade and so much more. Today lets talk about the R-Value of your home and exactly what that means for your wallet.
Your R-Value could soon be more important to you than even your FICO score or golf handicap. R-Value measures how well insulation retains heat inside your house — the higher the R-Value, the better. The “R” stands for resistance to heat flow.
To find the R-Value of your attic, where the Department of Energy estimates up to 45% of a home’s energy loss occurs, measure the thickness of the current insulation and multiply that number by three as a general rule. So, if your current insulation is 4 inches thick, your R-Value is 12.
Next, find out the recommended R-Value for where you live by simply going to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website. If it says you need an R-Value of 32, and your current rating is 12, you should add insulation with an R-Value of 20.
There are many types of insulation, but for the do-it-yourselfer, the most common is batt or blanket made of non-combustible fiberglass. Batts are sold as pre-cut strips and blankets as continuous rolls, which can be pressed or stapled into place. Insulation can also be poured, stuffed or blown in place, so consult your local supplier about the most appropriate choice for your home.
Pleased by your energy savings? Don’t stop at the attic. Install insulation in other areas of your home, such as ceilings with unheated spaces, basement walls, floors above vented crawl spaces, and floors over unheated garages or porches. By insulating, you’ll insulate more of the money that otherwise would be going to pay this summer’s cooling bills.
Eric Storm
803-517-8791
Apply Online
eric.storm@prospectmtg.com
