Making an old house energy efficient can feel like an uphill battle. There’s so much to fix—how do you know where to start, or what’s worth it and what’s not?
We get it. We’ve fixed a lot of old houses in the area. It can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If your primary goal is to save money on energy bills, prioritize insulation and air sealing. Then, focus on HVAC equipment and air ducts.
The Most Important Energy-Saving Improvements for an Old House (Non-Negotiables)
1. Air Sealing
Air sealing is one of the fastest and most affordable ways to reduce energy loss and lower heating/cooling bills in an old house. It closes the gaps in your home’s building envelope (walls, ceiling, foundation) that let heat and AC leak out, saving energy and money.
The best places to air seal in an old house include:
- Holes where wires/plumbing enter the house
- Windows and doors
- Where the walls meet the foundation (rim joists, sill plate)
- Electrical outlets
- Attic hatches and pull-down stairs
- Chimney chases and flues
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that air sealing can save you 15% on heating and cooling costs when combined with insulation. That’s a conservative estimate. We’ve seen much higher savings for our customers on the Eastern Shore, especially in historic and century homes.
2. Insulation
Insulation will help your old house retain heat in the winter and block it out in the summer. This reduces energy use for heating and AC, which lowers your utility bills. It also makes your house a lot more comfortable.
When insulating an old house, focus on the attic, basement, or crawl space, and exterior walls.
- Attic Insulation - Attic insulation makes the biggest difference in energy costs for most old houses.
- Basement/crawl space - An uninsulated basement or crawl space is like sticking your house on top of a freezer. Sealing and insulating, especially with full encapsulation, will stop heat loss and solve many other problems, like cold floors, in an old house.
- Exterior walls - In most old houses, the exterior walls have zero insulation. Filling walls with blown-in insulation will help your house retain heat in the winter, and it can be done without tearing them down.
3. Heating & Cooling System
A modern, energy-efficient heat pump heating and cooling system can drastically reduce energy costs in an old house, especially if you’re replacing outdated equipment like a dying furnace or baseboard heat.
There are two paths you can take for heat pump installation in an old house: ductless mini splits or a ducted heat pump.
- Ductless Mini Splits - The best HVAC option for old houses with baseboard heat and no air ducts.
- Ducted Heat Pump - Ideal for houses with air ducts. In an old house, however, ductwork may need to be sealed or replaced before it can be used for energy efficient heating.
What Energy Efficiency Improvements Don’t Make a Significant Difference in an Old House?
Every house is different, but in most old homes, replacement windows, new doors, and energy efficient kitchen appliances have a smaller impact on energy bill savings than insulation, air sealing, and a new HVAC system.
1. New Windows
If your house still has original single-pane windows, replacing them can reduce energy costs, but the savings are usually minor. Given the price, new windows are rarely worth it for energy savings alone.
2. New Exterior Doors
Exterior doors can make a small difference, but they shouldn’t be a main focus. If you’re replacing doors for comfort, function, or looks, choose an energy-efficient option. Otherwise, prioritize insulation, air sealing, and heating/cooling first.
3. Energy Efficient Kitchen Appliances
Energy-efficient appliances can cut electricity use, but they won’t make a big dent in total energy costs in an old house. If you’re replacing an appliance anyway, go for an energy efficient model. But if your goal is meaningful whole-house savings, prioritize fixing the building envelope and heating/cooling first.
See What Will Make the Biggest Impact in Your House
Every house is different, especially old ones. What makes sense for most houses might not work in yours.
At Total Home Performance, we find out exactly what’s going on in your house so we can recommend the most effective improvements to improve energy efficiency and lower your bills. We can take care of anything your old home needs, from insulation and air sealing to HVAC system replacements and even structural repair.
We’re an independent and locally owned company, and we’ve been insulating old houses in Easton, MD, and the surrounding areas since 2009.