So, I don't have insulation in my walls?

[burly]

After reading MMM's post about insulation made me start thinking more about my house... We purchased our home last April and we now have 12 months of heating bills to make our evaluation. Our home was built in 1950 and is a 1100 Sqfoot cape cod heated by a new (2008) gas boiler and steam heat. I have purchased a book on steam heat to understand how to maximize the efficency - which I think has worked rather well.  Our worst monthly bill was 223.61 which was the month of February where we had extreme colds mostly near zero or negative.  We normally set our thermostat to 68 degrees since we have an infant and to 50 degrees while we're at work or away.

So, I added a new outlet to an exterior facing wall a few weeks ago and noticed that there is not any insulation in my walls or at the very least that wall.. However, my concrete/plaster walls are about 1.5inches thick. I do have insulation in the attic but am unaware of the R-value... where does one find that by the way?

I'm sure in the absolute long run I could justify ripping all the external facing walls and putting in insulation and re-sheetrocking, but the alternative is to save that money to destroy debt or invest.

Any thoughts?


Edit: I did not mention we also have a gas water heater. Stove, oven are electric.

[Gimesalot]

For your current insulation, figure out what type it is, how deep it is, and then plug into an internet calculator.  For example:  http://www.lowes.com/cd_Blown+In+R+Value+Insulation+Calculator_477243886_

I also live in an old home without much insulation.  To save money, I just use space heaters at night.  I set the central unit at around 50 and heat up the bedroom.  I can get it to 60 using a ceiling fan and electric space heater.  With a good blanket or an electric blanket I am good to sleep cozy.  Getting up is tough though.

[Emg03063]

You can blow insulation into your walls by drilling holes & then patching.  No need to rip off the sheetrock.

[soccerluvof4]

You can blow insulation into your walls by drilling holes & then patching.  No need to rip off the sheetrock.

^ +1. If you have no insulation this is the easiest fix. Just have to patch the holes and repaint but be worth it.

[Gimesalot]

Before you blow insulation into your walls, make sure that your house has been rewired since it was built.  This is the reason we wouldn't do this to our house.  It had a mix of knob and tube ans cloth insulated wiring.  You should NOT insulate walls with old wiring.  For safe insulation, the wiring needs to be plastic wrapped.