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Home energy efficiency is a complex topic that affects our energy bills, comfort, and indoor air quality. As leaders of residential energy conservation in Northern Virginia and Metro DC, The Fifth Fuel team is dedicated to educating home and business owners about building science concepts and how these concepts influence our built environment. For example, homeowners commonly think their heating and cooling system isn’t performing properly, when in reality, a home performance issue is causing uneven home temperatures.

Our blog is designed to provide useful information that can be applied to gaining an understanding of home energy efficiency, helping our customers to make informed choices about energy-saving home improvements including insulation, air sealing, and crawlspace encapsulation.

Would you like a free estimate on a home energy upgrade? Call The Fifth Fuel today to get started!

Home efficiency news, company announcements, and more!

Our blog is your go-to for the latest news.

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Why Is My Upstairs So Hot?

July 17, 2024

For many Washington DC-area homeowners, dealing with temperature differentials between floors is a fact of life. Some let years go by simply assuming that they don’t have any control over this all-too-common issue, opting to install extra window AC units or multiple fans to keep parts of their home cool. The fact is, however, getting to the root of the problem is the only way to fix temperature differentials, and it doesn’t have to be quite as difficult as you might assume.

How Insulation & Air Sealing Protect Your Home from Moisture & Mold Growth

July 10, 2024

With the temperatures already going into the triple digits, it’s …

Why Air Sealing & Insulation Go Hand in Hand

February 20, 2024

We experience a wide range of temperatures throughout the year …

Save Energy This Winter With Attic Insulation

October 12, 2023

With the colder months getting closer every day, many homeowners …

5 Home Improvements to Make This Summer

July 11, 2023

Is the upstairs of your home too hot during the …

Do You Have an Uncomfortable Bonus Room?

August 25, 2020

Learn why the converted room in your attic or over your garage has big temperature swings, and why properly insulating and air sealing these rooms can lower energy bills and make your whole home more comfortable. Upgrade the bonus room in your home with proper insulation services from The Fifth Fuel.

Attic Insulation: The Key to a Comfortable Winter

January 29, 2020

Solve your indoor comfort issues with attic insulation removal and replacement services from The Fifth Fuel. Find out how chilly indoor drafts and high utility costs can be linked back to poor attic insulation, and how home upgrades like air sealing can pay for themselves through years of energy savings.

Where Does a Home Lose the Most Heat?

January 17, 2020

See for yourself where the common areas where heat loss occurs in a home with this illustration from The Fifth Fuel. Learn just how much of the energy your furnace produces could be wasted due to poor insulation and air leaks, and how you can upgrade your home to save money and stay comfortable.

Technician installing sheets of insulation

Why Upgrading Your Insulation Is Not a DIY Job

November 19, 2019

Learn more about the benefits of hiring a quality local contractor for your insulation upgrade. While the DIY route might seem tempting, there are health risks with removing and installing insulation, and the risk of doing a subpar job makes this a home improvement best left to the professionals.

Air Sealing Your House: Why and How it Helps

November 11, 2019

Learn more about the benefits of air sealing and how it helps your home’s energy efficiency. Air sealing a house improves insulation performance and stops outside air from getting inside. Through air sealing exterior walls as well as your attic and basement, The Fifth Fuel can improve home comfort.