Materials:
Step 1: Add insulation to the water heater.
Follow the instructions that came with the insulating jacket. Wrap the jacket around the water heater. Secure the jacket in place with the tape that came with the jacket.
Secure the jacket in place.
Step 2: Cover the pipes with foam insulation.
Use snap-on foam insulation to cover the exposed hot water pipes in the basement. Use a utility knife to cut the foam ends at an angle to cover any turns in the pipes. Make sure all ends of the foam pieces are touching to completely cover the pipes.
Cover as much of the exposed pipes as you can.
Step 3: Install ventilation baffles in the attic eaves.
Adding a layer of insulation in the attic with greatly reduce heat loss. Before adding insulation, it is important to ensure proper ventilation through the vents in the eaves by installing ventilation baffles. Position the ventilation baffle and staple it in place.
Position the baffle in place.
Step 4: Measure the eave space to be insulated.
Use a tape measure to determine the size of the insulation square that will be used to insulate the eave space.
Measure the space in the eave.
Step 5: Cut the insulation square for the eave space.
Transfer the measurements to a length of un-faced fiberglass blanket. Use a 2 x 4 to compress the fiberglass and cut the insulation with a utility knife.
Cut the insulation with a utility knife.
Step 6: Position the cut insulation square into place.
Push the cut insulation square into place in the space underneath the eave.
Press the insulation into place.
Step 7: Install the rest of the insulation.
Lay down the rest of the insulation blankets over the existing insulation. Be sure to keep the insulation at least three inches away from any metal flues or recessed lighting fixtures from the ceiling below. Your freshly insulated home is now ready for a less expensive heating season.
Lay the additional blankets in place.
