7 Davis Street, Glens Falls, NY

Built in 1960, this home was constructed just before the energy crisis forced builders and code writers to start paying attention to insulation. Homes from this period in Onondaga County typically have R-11 or less in the walls - if anything at all - and attic insulation that may have been added or upgraded at some point but rarely meets today's R-49 recommendation for climate zone 6A. The mechanical systems have usually been replaced once, but the envelope is often original.

Older-style homes in this area often reflect the construction norms of their decade: good bones, but insulation levels and window performance that made sense when energy was cheap and nobody was thinking about heating bills the way we do today.

Based on confirmed building data, EcoAudit estimates annual energy costs for this home at $4,350 to $7,250, assuming natural gas heating and typical usage patterns for Central New York. A targeted set of improvements - usually starting with attic insulation, air sealing, and possibly equipment upgrades - could reduce that by $1,600 to $3,800 per year. New York State and National Grid offer rebates that cover a meaningful share of weatherization costs for homeowners in Onondaga County. A free EcoAudit assessment identifies exactly where this home is losing energy and which programs apply.