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<v Narrator>A properly insulated home</v>

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can keep you comfortable year round

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while reducing heating and cooling costs.

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But how can you tell if your home is properly insulated?

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There are standards set by the Department

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of Energy based on your region

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and which part of the home is being insulated.

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The standards are measured in R value,

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which goes up as insulation levels improve

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and the measurement provides a simple way to compare

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across different kinds of insulation materials.

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R-25 of spray foam is equally as effective as R-25

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of blown in cellulose or R-25 of fiberglass batt insulation.

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It just may need more or less of those materials

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to achieve that value.

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If you wanna do a checkup on your own,

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here's how you can get a quick look.

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Attics and crawl spaces are relatively easy,

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assuming you have access.

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To check in walls,

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you can remove an outlet and check the cavity behind it.

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Usually, if the wall is full of insulation,

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you're probably okay.

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If there's little to no insulation, you got some work to do.

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The best bet is to have a professional audit

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where a professional will use a thermal camera

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to sense how well the insulation is performing.

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For best results, have it done

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when there is a big difference

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between indoor and outdoor temperatures.

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A professional auditor

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would also help you find inconsistencies,

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maybe where insulation is shifted,

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which could make a big difference.

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Checking the insulation levels of your home can be done

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in an afternoon with plenty of time to spare.

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And if your home isn't up to standards,

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it can help you make your home more comfortable

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and save you money on your energy bills.

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(lively music)