I have no insulation in my walls. The first floor is a brick exterior, and the second floor is stucco. I have changed my heating system from steam to forced hot air, and my heating bills are still extremely high, plus I still have problems with humidity in winter and summer even though I have a whole-house humidifier. Also, what are good options for kitchen/bathroom flooring? The kitchen flooring is vinyl with asbestos undercoating. My neighbor who does flooring said I could replace it myself and just spray with water while I’m pulling it up. In both the bathroom and kitchen, I need an insulating flooring since the floors are cold as well. All the rest is hardwood. Any ideas?
Answer
Let’s start with the first statement, “I have no insulation in my walls.“
- Your heating bills in a northern climate will continue to be high until you remedy your insulation problem.
- If you have an unheated basement then insulation can be added between the floors joists very easily throughout the entire first floor.
I would also have the home tested for lead paint if you plan on opening the walls in order to insulate. Lead dust and asbestos dust are not good to have in your home and will adversely affect your family’s health, especially the health of any children that frequent the home.
Dealing with the kitchen flooring
Adding insulation in the floor of the kitchen and bathroom only will do very little for the overall heating bill.
The asbestos tile in the kitchen should be removed by an approved asbestos abatement contractor because your health could be at risk if dust from the tile or glue is airborne and gets into your HVAC system, not to mention that the waste would have to be disposed of properly.
If it is a comfort “warm floor” that you are looking for, I would suggest a heated tile floor system, with an electric mat under your tile that you can turn on and off (installed as per manufacturer’s recommendations).
This doesn’t sound like a DIY project
My advice is that you will need to contact a local energy auditor as well as a hazardous materials expert to do this project properly.
- The house sounds like it is leaking air uncontrollably, which will in turn affect the efficiency of your HVAC system.
- The more you insulate and tighten up the house, the more you will have to properly ventilate the house (especially in older homes) and the HVAC may not be sized right for these new conditions.
This doesn’t sound like a DIY project, as there seem to be too many variables that could be hazardous.
Have a Question?
Ask our knowledgable panel of professionals
Cancel
Ask a Pro
Related Ask a Pro
What’s the best way to capture solar heat from south-facing windows?
We’re adding a sunroom to our home. Can you suggest strategies for natural heating and cooling?
Should I choose vinyl or non-vinyl replacement windows?
I need more hot water in my all-electric home. Can you help me choose between a 2nd heater, a recirculation system, and a heat pump heater?
I have a 1960s-era wood frame house with brick veneer on all four sides and no insulation in the walls. What is the best way to insulate?
Related Know How
10 Ways to Beat the Heat
9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Get Optimal Performance from a Tankless Water Heater
Keeping Warm for Less
9 Best Practices for Choosing and Installing a Tankless Water Heater
- Sign In
- or
- Sign Up
- About
- Contact
- Subscribe
- Terms
- Privacy
© Copyright 2011 U.S. Green Building Council. All Rights Reserved. Cancel
Similar Posts:
- Most of the water-saving items that I’ve seen don’t allow the plumbing system to operate properly. How can I go green?
- The cellulose insulation in my home’s walls has settled, leaving about 1.5 ft of uninsulated top wall. How do I fix it?
- I need a new water filtration system on our well at home and was wondering what the least toxic systems are. Any ideas?
- I can’t find anyone who can install a rainwater collection system. I have plumbed my house to use rainwater for flushing.
- I’m considering building a home with straw insulation and stucco. Can it be done in NY, where temps reach below zero with wind chill?
