You’ve probably heard the news that home natural gas prices are projected to skyrocket this winter. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Winter Fuels Outlook, the homeowner who heats with natural gas will pay 30% more this winter than last. The average homeowner who heats with home heating oil will pay 43% more. Besides turning down your thermostat, wearing sweaters and fuzzy slippers, did you know that crawl space encapsulation can save you money on your heating bills and make your home a more comfortable space?
This is true whether you have an older home or a newer home.
You can save up to 20% on your energy bills by encapsulating crawl spaces in your home. Crawl space encapsulation ensures the air in that area doesn't seep into the main areas of the house from underneath.
Let’s take a look at why that is.
Are Your Floors Cold? You May Need Crawl Space Encapsulation
Do you and your family always have cold feet in the Des Moines winters?
This can be because cold air is getting into your crawl space through the open vents. It can also be because your crawl space is poorly insulated, or the insulation that you do have has fallen down.
If your crawl space isn’t sealed off or encapsulated, cold air can easily enter your home through open crawl space vents, as well as cracks or gaps in the crawl space walls. This cold air then rises up into your walls and floors, making the whole first level of your house colder than it should be.
As a result, your heating system works harder than it should to keep your house comfortable. That means high utility bills, and it can also shorten the life of your furnace, heat pump, or boiler. If you have ductwork in your crawl space, you will experience necessary heat loss from that ductwork if you have an open crawl space.
But sealing all those gaps keeps the cold air out, which makes it easier for your heating system to regulate the temperature in your home. And this of course reduces your heating bills! An added bonus: crawl space encapsulation will also prevent warm air from seeping into your home in the summer, making your AC work harder, and increasing condensation and poor air quality in your home.
Is There Water in Your Crawl Space? Waterproof it and Encapsulate It.
Another big problem with an un-encapsulated crawl space is that it could be experiencing water seepage. This can make your crawl space an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth. It can also increase condensation causing wood rot and wet insulation. Wood rot can cause your floors to sag, so if you’ve noticed that, moisture in your crawl space may be the culprit.
All of that moisture also makes your crawl space an attractive home for various pests, including insects and mice, who may also make their way into your home looking for food or a warmer spot to spend the winter.
Go ahead, take a look. Bundle up and get a strong flashlight. Take off an outside vent or shine the light through. If you see the light reflecting on a puddle, you’ve got problems. If you can see that insulation has fallen or see or smell signs of mold growth you don’t want to wait any longer because the longer you wait the more the fix will cost.
Crawl Space Encapsulation helps with all these problems and helps save money!
Comfort in your Home
Your floors will be warmer. Your house will be warmer. In the winter, that is. In the summer, everything will stay cooler. When you encapsulate a crawl space, the benefits are twofold: You protect the crawl space from the outdoors, but you also protect the house from the crawl space. This means that your home isn’t as affected by the ground temperature, which means that it’s less prone to wild temperature swings.
Save Money and energy
With your home free from the effects of the ground temperature on your crawl space, you’ll notice fewer temperature swings, which means your HVAC system will get a break – and so will your energy bills. And if you decide to move, an encapsulated, energy efficient crawl space can increase the value of your home.
Choosing a company for your Crawl Space waterproofing
Crawl space encapsulation goes beyond a weekend do-it-yourself project. It’s a wise choice to hire a Waterproofing expert to do the job right the first time. Deciding to hire an expert is a big decision, but so is choosing to waterproof your basement or crawl space. To find the right contractor you want to do your homework and check out their reviews. Look for references, also look for a company who offers limited warranties. If your waterproofing expert has been servicing local homes for a while, that’s a good indicator that they’ll still be there if you need them in the future. Get some estimates, have a few companies come out and talk with you and provide quotes.
The Bam Way of Crawl Space Waterproofing:
· Removing and disposing of debris in the crawl space
· Resolving water leakage if there is any
· Install a sump pump for underground drainage
· Installing a vapor barrier on the floor and walls
· Seal the vents and other outside air leaks
· Install a dehumidifier
Every home is different, and you can rest assured if you hire us, you will get a custom solution that will protect your home, improve your home’s air quality, and reduce your utility bills. What’s not to love?
Call The Best BAM basements
Allow the experts at BAM Basements and Masons to help you. We are one of the most sought-after names when it comes to crawl space encapsulation and basement waterproofing in and around Des Moines. Our team has many years of experience and in-depth knowledge about keeping your crawl space and basement free from moisture and humidity. Therefore, we can suggest the right method for your home. All our basement waterproofing techniques come at bargain basement pricing, and we ensure timely completion of each of the projects. To know more about basement waterproofing and get a free estimate, please feel free to call us!