Local Knowledge About Thermal Envelope Upgrades

The thermal envelope of a home is where the "inside" ends and the "outside" begins. It is where the homeowner says, "the energy buck stops here." The thermal envelope includes ALL perimeter surfaces -- walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, chimney, attic access, etc. For maximum energy performance, every square inch of the thermal envelope should be clearly identified, properly and adequately insulated, and sealed against excessive air leakage. For energy purposes, each of these surfaces is called a "heat-loss" or "heat-gain" surface. The preferred thermal upgrade for each surface depends on its physical properties and its location.