Three Things Missing in Your New Maryland Home

When building a new home in Maryland, there are many decisions to make! It’s easy to focus on countertops, flooring, and paint colors, while overlooking some critical steps that can affect how your home performs and feels year-round. Skipping over the energy efficiency side of construction can lead to high energy bills, uncomfortable rooms, and even mold or pest issues.

It’s been reported by the US. Energy Information Administration (EIA) that more than half of the energy we use in our homes is for heating and cooling. That’s a big chunk of your energy bill! That means, in our climate, with its hot, humid summers and cold winters, it’s even more important that your home is an energy-efficient home.

So, let’s look at three often-overlooked energy features in new homes that can make a big difference, especially if they are taken care of from the start.

Sealing Air Leaks Early

Every home leaks air, even new ones. In fact, air leaks are one of the biggest energy wasters in a home. Thankfully, air sealing takes care of them. It seals the small gaps and penetrations in your home’s envelope and is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy loss. Sealing up these gaps cuts drafts, reduces your heating and cooling system costs, improves durability, creates healthier indoor air, and saves energy.

Key spots to check for leaks include:

• Attic openings such as recessed lighting, electrical outlets, vents, and the attic hatch
• Plumbing and wiring holes
• Windows and doors
• Basement rim joists
• Chimneys and fireplaces

Many builders only meet the bare minimum when it comes to air tightness. But taking the extra step to seal more thoroughly, with spray foam or caulk, can save you money and boost comfort long-term. Local retrofit programs have shown significantly reduced air leaks and lower utility bills thanks to upgraded air sealing.

Upgrading Attic Insulation for Maximum Efficiency

Another key piece not to overlook in your new home is insulation, yet 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under insulated. The attic is one of the most important places to insulate, but for many new homes there is enough attic insulation installed to meet state building codes but not enough to perform well year-round. Adding additional insulation to your attic (along with air sealing) helps to keep more warm air inside during winter and out in the summer.

The recommended level of attic insulation for Maryland homes (in climate zone 4) is R-49 to R-60, but many homes are built with only the state requirement, the suggested minimum of R-49. Talk with an insulation professional about choosing the right insulation materials like fiberglass or spray foam to help close that gap and reach a more effective R-value, or level of insulating power.

Better attic insulation means cooler rooms in summer, warmer ones in winter, less strain on your air conditioning and heating system, and lower energy bills. It also helps keep all your living spaces comfortable. Even better, the federal government offers tax incentives for both builders and homeowners for energy upgrades.

Sealing and Insulating Crawl Spaces and Basements

Crawl spaces and basements are often ignored during construction, even though they are a major part of the house. They are often left without much insulation which pulls valuable energy from your home. These areas also touch the ground and collect moisture which can seep into your floors and walls.

Many builders leave crawl spaces vented, but experts recommend an unvented, sealed and encapsulated crawl space with proper vapor barriers instead. A properly sealed and insulated crawl space provides:

• Moisture control to help reduce mold and wood rot.
• Pipe protection that lowers the risk of frozen pipes.
• Improved comfort with warmer floors in winter and less dampness in summer.
• Better home health thanks to less moisture and fewer pests.
• Increased savings up to 15–18% on your heating and cooling system costs compared to a vented crawl space.

If you have a basement, it can also benefit from properly insulating the walls and rim joists, as well as sealing gaps in your foundation walls and floors to block radon gas and critters.