The Fifth Fuel

Heating and cooling accounts for nearly half of all home energy use, according to the US Energy Information Administration. There are many older and historic homes throughout Northern Virginia and Metro DC that lack adequate insulation, air sealing, and moisture protection. The Fifth Fuel is a locally owned and operated company that has earned a strong reputation throughout DC, Falls Church, Alexandria, McLean, and beyond for providing effective energy efficiency solutions. We have over 30 years of experience in home performance and are highly skilled in getting to the root of home energy efficiency issues.

The Northern Virginia and Metro Maryland area has many older homes with high energy bills. The Fifth Fuel has helped solve many of these energy efficiency issues, boosting home comfort in the process. With over 30 years of experience in home energy upgrades, we have helped numerous homeowners in Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church, Mclean, and Fairfax, Virginia and throughout the Metro DC area save money with energy-saving home improvements. The longevity of our staff has enabled us to create a team of energy-efficiency experts with extensive expertise in saving energy.

As concern about climate change and energy reserves mounts, there is more attention focused on the pros and cons of different sources of energy. The main four types of fuel -- coal, hydrocarbons (natural gas and petroleum), nuclear, and renewable energy -- have all helped power our world. Energy efficiency is the fifth fuel and is the greenest and most cost-effective of the five. The cheapest and most environmentally-friendly fuel is the one you don't have to buy! This is the inspiration behind the name of our company, saving both money and carbon emissions for a win-win situation.

Most homes lack sufficient insulation, according to the Department of Energy. This is especially true in Northern Virginia and Metro DC, where we have many older homes. Holes in exterior walls and gaps and cracks around windows and doors allows conditioned (heated and cooled) air to leak out. In fact, exterior walls can account for 35% of the heat loss in a home! Insulating walls is essential upgrade for making older homes more energy efficient. The Fifth Fuel both retrofits existing homes and insulates new homes for greater comfort and utility savings.

Many older homes in the greater Washington DC area do not have adequate insulation. With warm summers and cold winters, home insulation is very important for comfort and energy efficiency in Northern Virginia and Metro Maryland. When insulation fails, it can causes high heating and cooling bills, drafts, large indoor temperature fluctuations and uneven temperatures throughout the home. If you have uncomfortably warm or cold rooms, upgrading your home insulation may provide a solution. Cellulose insulation is a great way to cut home energy bills and boost comfort.

Most homes have insufficient insulation, according to the Department of Energy. This is especially true in the Northern Virginia and Metro Maryland areas, where we have many historic homes that haven't had insulation upgrades. Making energy efficiency upgrades with fiberglass insulation is a great way to lower heating and cooling bills, while increasing indoor comfort. Insulation helps keep heat out in the summer and cold out in the winter, saving you money all year long. When home insulation fails or insufficient quantities exist in the walls, ceiling, and roof, it can cause many issues throughout the home.

Crawlspaces are typically dark, musty places that people avoid. Although moisture issues in your ventilated dirt crawlspace may go unnoticed, they can affect the indoor air quality and comfort of your Northern Virginia and Metro DC home. Air leaks in, causing the HVAC system to work harder to compensate. Excess moisture encourages mold, dust mite, and some insect and pest populations in most crawlspaces. In more severe cases, high moisture levels and condensation can cause wood rot and structural damage to the wood framing and insulation.

The Northern Virginia and Metro Maryland areas have many beautiful older homes. Unfortunately, many of these homes are drafty and have high energy bills. With 30 years of experience in energy conservation, The Fifth Fuel can get at the root of home comfort issues and help you stay comfortable year-round. With the ability to seal cracks and insulate around irregularly-shaped building elements, spray foam insulation excels where other forms of insulation cannot reach. Spray foam's R-Value, or thermal resistance, is one of the highest on the market, providing excellent insulative qualities.

Did you know that the average American household spends around 54% of their total energy dollars on space heating and cooling alone? The Department of Energy reports that having a properly insulated attic can shave up to 50% off current heating and cooling bills while still keeping indoor environments comfortable. Northern Virginia and Metro DC homeowners can reduce their cooling and heating bills by installing high-performance attic insulation. Attic insulation is the most crucial component of home insulation.