Older homes in Massachusetts carry a certain charm: hand-crafted details, original materials, and a story behind every creaky floorboard. But with that character often comes drafts, uneven temperatures, and high heating bills.
As the late summer sun fades and colder nights creep in, now is the time to think about weatherization. With the right upgrades, it’s possible to improve comfort and energy efficiency without compromising the look and feel of your historic home.
The Unique Challenges (and Opportunities) of Older Homes
Every old home is a little different, and so are its energy challenges. Understanding the way these homes were built helps explain where energy loss often occurs.
- Construction quirks: Balloon framing, lath-and-plaster walls, and fieldstone foundations aren’t uncommon in older homes. These features can make standard approaches to insulation or air sealing less effective unless handled by someone who knows how to work with them.
- Hidden air leaks: Windows aren’t always the biggest culprit. Gaps and cracks in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are more often to blame for drafts and heat loss.
- Preserving integrity: Modern weatherization methods can address energy issues while leaving historic finishes untouched. This means you don’t have to sacrifice original plaster or woodwork to make your home more comfortable.
Why a Home Energy Assessment is the First Step
DIY solutions—like replacing weatherstripping or sealing windows—might offer short-term relief, but they rarely address the core issues in older homes.
A no cost home energy assessment provides a comprehensive look at how your home uses and loses energy. Using tools like blower doors and infrared cameras, technicians can pinpoint issues that aren’t visible and recommend solutions that are both effective and appropriate for older structures.
This visit also serves as an important safety check. For example, homes with knob-and-tube wiring may need electrical updates before insulation can be safely installed.
The Most Effective Weatherization Measures
After the assessment, homeowners typically receive a detailed report with recommendations. For historic homes, the most impactful improvements often include:
- Air sealing: A top priority. Sealing up gaps in key areas like attics and foundations helps prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering—without major disruption to the home’s appearance.
- Attic insulation: Adding or improving attic insulation creates a buffer between your living space and the outdoors, helping maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
- Basement and crawlspace upgrades: Sealing and insulating foundation areas reduces heat loss and improves comfort, particularly on the first floor.
What About Costs?
Mass Save® makes these upgrades more accessible by offering no-cost air sealing and covering 75–100% of approved insulation costs for eligible homeowners.
These rebates are available to homes of all ages—including those built long before energy efficiency standards existed. The only requirement is completing the no-cost energy assessment, which serves as the first step in the process.
Plan Ahead for Winter
Historic homes don’t have to be drafty. With a thoughtful approach and the right support, it’s possible to retain your home’s character while improving comfort, reducing energy waste, and lowering heating bills.
Before the cold settles in, consider scheduling your no-cost home energy assessment. It’s a low-risk way to understand where your home is losing energy—and how to address it without compromising its charm.
