I've been meaning to insulate my attic for a while now. I needed to get a few things done before this I could finish this. Originally I was planning on paying someone to install recessed lighting in my living room, bathroom exhaust fan, and insulate my attic.
I previously posted about the living room lights install: 1000 in savings
https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/do-it-yourself-forum!/saved-$1000-through-diy-recessed-led-light-fixtures/I installed a 80cfm bathroom exhaust fan. The install was quoted at 1200 (give or take 100 from a few different bids). I did this job myself got around $250. Total time I have spent so far was about 10 hrs. I still have to complete the penetration through the roof, which I will complete in the spring: Total savings 900
After completing the two projects I was ready to insulate my attic. This is the biggest home improvement project I have taken on ever. I had this quoted between 4000-5000. All said and done I spent around 1900 on this project. This included 300 for a hired hand for some work. Total time I spent on this project was around 28 hrs over three days. I still need to weatherstrip the access doors, which should only take a few hours: Total savings 2000. I will keep this post updated with the ongoing savings this provides me. Our average heating bill in the winter is around 70$. And I have to say, yesterday and today had highs of -1 and -5, and I haven't notice my furnace kick on more than once in the past 5 hrs. Before, it basically would have been running full time with this weather.
So I completed some major projects over the last month and half and I saved around 4,000 over what I would have spent if someone else were to have done it. The motivation to take on these projects has come directly from MMM blog and this forum. Before finding this I would have just hired someone to do it. Now I look at things differently. I see the quotes from contractors and how much they charge. I am now starting to think, I don't need to pay someone to do things that I can do. Even if that means taking some risks and taking the time to learn a new skill.
UPDATE: I received my first statement after completing my insulation project. Luckily enough the statement date almost exactly coincided with the project completion date.
December (Pre-insulation): 160 therms (roughly 152 ccf)
Temperature Stats:
Avg High: 20
Avg Low:5
Avg:13
January (Post-insulation): 131 Therms (124 ccf)
Avg High: 18
Avg low: -3
Avg: 8
