High Energy Bills

Noticing high energy bills? Your crawl space could be the problem. Bay Are Underpinning will show you how you can lower them for good.

Surprisingly, your crawl space’s condition directly affects the energy usage in your house. Dampness and humidity under your home can cause your bills to skyrocket as your HVAC system overworks itself to counter them.

Trust Bay Area Underpinning, the crawl space experts near you, for professional encapsulation to lower your monthly bills.

What Are High Energy Bills?

High energy bills indicate that your HVAC system is working overtime to maintain a consistent temperature in your home.

For instance, if humidity is high in your crawl space, it can rise into your living space, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to compensate for the warmer, damper air.

You may also notice these problem signs along- with high energy bills:

Each of these issues stem from moisture in your crawl space. If you notice one, it may not be long before you notice others. For that reason, don’t ignore high energy bills!

What Causes High Energy Bills?

Since high energy bills are a direct result of crawl space moisture, we must look at how water gets into the crawl space in the first place.

Most of the time, water gets in through:

Open crawl space vents
Improper yard grading
Poor drainage or faulty gutters
Leaky water pipes below the home

Once water is in your crawl space, humidity increases, rising into your home and raising the temperature. Crawl space water also causes wet insulation, making it more difficult for your home to maintain constant temperatures.

With these factors in play, high energy bills are likely.

Can You Fix High Energy Bills?

Here’s some good news, you can fix high energy bills. The most effective way to do it is with crawl space encapsulation.

Crawl space encapsulation seals the area beneath your house with a heavy-duty vapor barrier and other waterproofing tools. This keeps out cold air in the winter and reduces hot, humid air in the summer.

By stabilizing the temperature under your house, heating and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard, which lowers energy bills. Encapsulating your crawl space keeps the space dry, which protects insulation and helps maintain temperatures inside your home.

How to Lower High Energy Bills with Crawl Space Encapsulation

Crawl space encapsulation is the best way to fix high energy bills. It’s a comprehensive crawl space water management system with a few key parts that helps to keep your bills lower.

Here’s what encapsulation involves:

Conduct an in-depth inspection to identify specific issues and their causes. 
Seal crawl space access doors to prevent external air and moisture intrusion. 
Install interior drainage and a sump pump to collect and expel water. 
Lay drainage matting on the floor to guide water towards the drainage system. 
Place foam board insulation panels on the walls to regulate indoor temperatures. 
Apply a vapor barrier on the floor and walls, encapsulating the crawl space. 
Set up a dehumidifier to maintain optimal indoor humidity levels.

Why Address High Energy Bills Now?

Addressing high energy bills with encapsulation has several benefits:

Saves Money: The longer you wait to fix moisture damage, the more it will cost. Once you fix these problems, you’ll start seeing lower energy bills right away.
Extends Lifespan of Appliances: If your HVAC system works too hard, it might break down. Fixing crawl space issues helps your appliances last longer.
Enhances Home Comfort and Value: Indoor temperatures stay consistent, air quality improves, and homes that use less energy are more valuable to buyers.

Taking care of these issues now helps protect your money and your home. Our solutions fix the main problems with your crawl space.

Contact Bay Area Underpinning for Dependable Crawl Space Repair

High energy bills are a pain, but you can fix them when you work with our team. Since 2005, we’ve proudly been Northern California’s crawl space experts, helping homeowners create healthier and safer crawl spaces.

If you need help with your crawl space, contact us today to schedule a free inspection. We’ll provide you with industry-leading solutions and long-lasting results!

High Energy Bills FAQs

What are signs my energy bills are caused by crawl space issues?

Signs include an increase in utility costs without changes in electronics usage, high indoor humidity, and musty odors. Bay Area Underpinning can help you identify problem signs during a free inspection.

How long does crawl space encapsulation take?

The entire installation process depends on the crawl space size, the extent of existing damage, and the specific solutions needed. Most encapsulation projects take between one and three days to complete.

How soon will my energy bills get back to normal after encapsulation?

Once encapsulation has been installed, you may see monetary results as early as the next billing cycle. In most cases, it won’t take more than a couple days to notice physical results (like less humidity).