By Scott Sery

If you have already taken most of the steps to make your home more energy efficient, are looking for a little more of a challenge, and have an unfinished or un-insulated basement, now might be the right time to take the plunge and install insulation.

Now it is true that heat generally rises. So having a cold basement isn't always a bad thing. However, when a warmer temperature and a colder temperature are near each other, the temperature always will try to reach equilibrium. In other words, the warmer will become cooler, the cooler will warmer.

By insulating the basement walls, you can slow the transfer of the cold ground to your relatively warmer basement. By slowing the cooling of your basement air, you will also slow the cooling of the upper level of the house.

If you do decide to tackle the task of insulating your basement, be sure to learn about the different types of insulation. Some perform better than others, and some are "greener" in their construction than others.