I rely on the furnace for approximately six months per year. I run the central air conditioner for about four months. For the majority of the year, the cost of heating and cooling is a major part of the budget. While I’d like to keep a comfortable home, I’m always looking for ways to trim energy use. When I did some research online, every article mentioned the importance of proper insulation. I realized that the insulation in the walls and ceilings of my home was old and probably no longer providing maximum protection against the weather. I inspected the attic and found that the visible insulation had been severely compromised by moisture and rodents. Plus, the upstairs of the house tends to be much warmer than the first floor. I had no idea how to replace the insulation throughout the house without tearing into walls and ceilings. More research turned up the solution of blown-in insulation. I found a local HVAC contractor who specializes in this process. This type of insulation is made up of small, flame-retardant pieces that are literally blown into the cavities of the walls and ceilings. It conforms around obstacles, such as ductwork and plumbing pipes, and fills in odd-shaped spaces. The HVAC contractor completed the job in a matter of hours and created no mess. While the project was fairly expensive, I will definitely recover the cost through energy savings within a few years. I immediately noticed an improvement in the comfort of my home. There are fewer drafts and a more consistent temperature, and yet the furnace and air conditioner aren’t working as hard.