For most people, the answer is "both." But, where do you draw the line?

The answer depends on three things:

• Your house and its location.
• Your Do-It-Yourself skills; and the time you have to do work.
• Your budget.

You really do need to get informed on the basics before deciding.

• A small investment of time will enable you to make the best decisions. You can then save the most money and gain the highest energy efficiency by getting the right home insulation.
• The easiest and best way to get the essential information for saving energy on your specific house is to have one or more trained and experienced professionals evaluate the energy efficiency of your home.
• Insulation contactors will give free bids and discuss projects and materials.

Home Energy Auditors (Energy Raters) typically offer a wider range of information and more specifics in a detailed written report.

• They range in cost from free to about $500. The free Energy Audits are done by contractors looking for work.
• The best way is to get an home Energy Audit first, and then talk to three qualified insulation contractors. You spend a little money to save a lot.
• If you do not want to pay for the Energy Audit, then Insulation.com recommends at least talking to three home insulation contractors.

An investment of $5.00 to $15. in a recommended book on home energy conservation can become one of the best investments you will ever make in saving energy.

• Insulation.com highly recommends a good book on energy efficiency as the best first step.
• Even a couple of hours spent scanning the main points on home energy conservation will put you in a much better position to interact with insulation contractors and energy auditors.
• The book will also help you identify what DIY insulation and other energy conservation projects are realistic for you and how best to do them.

A lot of money is at stake. The larger insulation and energy conservation projects are expensive.

• Some give a great return on your energy savings investment. And, some do not. Some insulation materials have significant drawbacks in specific situations.
• Costly mistakes happen. Your money can be largely wasted if the right things are not done in the right way. Both DIY insulation or insulation contractor work can be done right, or wrong.
• In either case, you need to know the basics of home energy conservation to be confident of getting a good job.

The initial price of the job is not the biggest factor.

• The biggest factor is the money you can save every month for many years.
• If the right energy conservation projects are done right, you will get those energy efficiency savings.
• If not, you can spend a lot of money on home insulation installation, and not get much of the energy savings you paid for.

Summary

• Many simple, quick, and inexpensive DIY insulation projects can be done by most people. They combine to greatly increase total home energy efficiency for years.
• Some people can do major insulation installation and other energy efficiency jobs.
• Most people will benefit from professional help with the larger energy conservation projects.
• Getting properly informed will save time, money, and prevent problems; with both DIY projects and insulation contractors.

For more information: download Do-It-Yourself Guide to Sealing and Insulating, a free brochure from the US Department of Energy.