Home insulation

Tom,
I read your artice n the Bangor Daily news and I am interested in doing
more to insulate my house this year. I was wondering you could answer a
few questions?
I have a 1500 sf ranch built in 1962. I blew 12'' of cellulose in the
attic a few years ago. The walls are 2x4 except for a new addition.
I have looked at putting 2" foam on the outside. I would have to take all
my siging off and windows out. Putting 2" of foam on the inside may be
easier because I would not be rushed by the weather. I can do one room at
a time. I am worred about condensation if I put foam on the inside of the
walls or if I stud up another wall on the inside.
The foundation is not insualted and escavation in not possible. The
basement is not finished nor heated. Floow is not insulated. I have a low
mass boiler in the basement but it is oversized I believe. The cellar does
not seem to be moist when we get a ton of rain I am dependant on my sump
pump.
Do you have a guide to home insulation or can you give me some
recommendations? Do you know of anyone that does the insulating? I use
about 1000 gallons of oil per year for heat and hot water.
Joe Grant


Hi Joe,
You can install the foam on the inside. You just need to be certain to seal
the penetrations for electrical and openings. If any condensation does
form, it usually can dry to the exterior, but it is critical to try to seal
it well.
Studding up a new wall and insulating it with fiberglass is not near as
effective. If you want to stud it up and install the foam, that is okay,
too, as long as you seal it well.
Insulating the basement walls is a good idea on a house that is already
properly insulated.
You can usually save a couple hundred gallons in the average house.
I would suggest checking with friends and the phone book to get some
contractors. It is critical to check references.
Tom