home-energy-bills

High energy bills in an older home aren’t just frustrating. They’re usually a sign that something’s not working the way it should. If your heating and cooling costs seem too high, there’s a good chance your home is losing energy in places you can’t see. At Quarve Contracting, we specialize in diagnosing and fixing these hidden inefficiencies with holistic solutions that improve your home’s overall comfort, health, and energy efficiency. Here are the five most common issues we find in older Twin Cities homes and how to fix them.

1. No Roof Deck Insulation 

Many older homes have some insulation, but most are missing roof deck insulation—the critical layer that stops heat from escaping through the top of your house. Without it, heat rises right out in the winter and radiates in during the summer. That forces your HVAC system to work overtime, driving up your energy bills. 

The fix: If you’re planning a roof replacement, it’s the perfect time to add roof deck insulation. We apply it directly under the roof surface, improving energy efficiency and saving you money on your bills.

2. Uninsulated Walls 

Exterior walls in many older homes were never insulated, especially if the siding hasn’t been updated in decades. That means heat and cold can move right through your walls. As a result, you’ll spend more on heat and AC, and your house will still never feel truly comfortable. 

The fix: When it’s time to replace your siding, we can install continuous exterior wall insulation underneath. It will hold heat in during the winter and block it out during the summer, so you can spend less on heating and air conditioning.

3. Poor Ventilation 

A lot of people think about ventilation as something that only impacts the air in their house, but it affects energy efficiency, too. Without proper attic ventilation, hot and humid air can’t escape your attic. That can make it harder to keep your house cool in the summer and lead to serious problems like moisture and mold. 

The fix: We design custom attic ventilation systems with balanced intake and exhaust vents. This helps regulate attic temperatures, prevents moisture and mold, and reduces the load on your HVAC system, saving you money while preventing expensive damage.

4. Old Windows & Doors 

Drafty, single-pane windows and outdated doors let conditioned air escape and allow outside temperatures in. Over time, this leads to discomfort, wasted energy, and higher costs. 

The fix: Replacing old windows and exterior doors with modern, energy-efficient options can significantly improve comfort and reduce energy loss. We install top-quality options from Pella and ProVia, designed for Minnesota’s climate.

5. Outdated Siding 

Outdated siding is a major source of energy loss, especially in homes that also lack proper wall insulation. Older siding materials weren’t designed for energy efficiency. They allow heat to escape in the winter and let it radiate right in during the summer, making it harder to heat and cool your home. Plus, cracked and damaged siding can let moisture in, leading to a whole slew of other problems like water damage and mold. 

The fix: Upgrade to energy-efficient siding installed with continuous exterior wall insulation underneath. This combination helps seal out unwanted temperatures, dramatically improving comfort and cutting energy costs year-round.

Find Out Where Your Home Is Losing Energy & Get Custom Fixes

If you’re dealing with high energy bills in an older home, the best place to start is with a professional home energy assessment. At Quarve Contracting, we help Twin Cities homeowners take advantage of cost-effective Home Energy Squad assessments.

With a Home Energy Squad assessment, you get:

  • An evaluation of your home’s energy efficiency 
  • Access to on-the-spot improvements like LED lightbulbs and smart thermostats
  • A custom Home Energy Squad Report to guide your improvements
  • Help navigating rebates and incentives for energy efficiency improvements

All you have to do is schedule your visit and send the report to us. We’ll use it to design a customized improvement plan that will make your house healthier and more comfortable while reducing your energy bills. Stop wasting money on wasted energy!

Call (763) 373-9869 for energy efficiency improvements that work.