Winter Home Energy Efficiency

By Steve Bielinski

Winter is around the corner and the mercury is plummeting, is your home ready for the Wisconsin cold? Bielinski homes sure are, here’s why.

INSULATION

It’s one of the easiest way to make sure your home stays warm and energy-efficient this season. Bielinski’s 2’x6’ wall framing allows us to install almost six inches of insulation in your wall cavity. We install R-21 high-density fiberglass batt insulation that far surpasses the minimum state requirements. We could use a lesser R-value insulation in the wall and still comply with state codes, but we feel that the higher R-value insulation is more than worth it for our customers’ comfort.

We also use upgraded insulation in your attic, since you can lose a large amount of heat from this part of the home. The R-50 blown insulation we use is much better at keeping the heat in than the state-required R-38 insulation.

The last main areas in your home that need insulation are the joist ends of the floor system in your basement. You lose more heat from here than anywhere else. That’s why we use a closed cell, expandable spray foam insulation here. It completely seals up the joist ends, stopping drafts and also keeping bugs out of your home. All of this adds up to a toasty, green, and efficient home.

WINDOWS

There are three things about our windows that keep the cold at bay.

1. Every Bielinski window and patio door is double paned glass.
2. Argon gas is sealed in between those two panes. Argon is denser than air and improves thermal insulation.
3. A microscopically thin Low-E coating is applied to the glass. Low-E coating minimizes infrared and ultraviolet light, improving the windows’ insulating properties while protecting your furniture, fabrics, and art from fading.

Who knew windows could be so technologically advanced?

We did. We knew.

ENERGY INSPECTION

To be extra sure that your home is insulated, we hire an independent energy auditor to perform a blower door test after the construction process is complete. A blower door test scientifically measures a home’s airtightness. If any gaps, leaks, or drafts are found Bielinski corrects them and moves forward knowing the home is sealed tight.

We put in a lot of effort to make sure that your home isn’t costing you a fortune in bills all winter long. For homes made for Wisconsin winters, click here.