With energy costs on the rise, it is critical to find new ways to conserve energy and make the most of your energy dollars. A typical American family spends more than $1,600 on home utility bills each year-50 to 70 percent of which is for heating and cooling, with a large portion wasted by escaping through drafts.

One of the quickest and most cost-effective ways of reducing energy use and increasing efficiency year-round is to ensure that your home is properly insulated.

Increasing insulation in attics, basement walls, floors over unheated crawlspaces and in vaulted ceilings can keep you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer while saving you money and increasing the resale value of your home.

Attic insulation should be the first target, as it is likely the most accessible and least expensive. For attics, blow-in insulation, such as CertainTeed's InsulSafe? 4 premium Blowing Wool, provides superior thermal efficiency and uniform coverage in attic space, even in hard-to-reach areas.

When choosing fiber glass insulation, be sure to consider the R-Value as the higher the R-Value, the greater the insulating strength. The appropriate amount of insulation depends on the climate in which you live, type of heating you use and section of house you are insulating.

Check with your local contractor or retailer for the standard that's right for your home. Proper insulation can reduce heating and cooling needs by up to 10 percent.

Choosing an environmentally sound insulation product is also important for the life and health of your home.

CertainTeed's fiber glass insulation meets stringent standards of the industry-independent Greenguard Environmental institute for superior indoor air quality performance.