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The amount of insulation you need will vary depending on where you live. Energy Star recommends certain minimum insulation values in different geographic regions. In most cases, however, even adding a little insulation is better than not adding any.

2x4 walls can hold R-13 or R-15 batts of insulation, which is usually about 3.5 inches thick. You should also check with your local building codes to see if there’s a required thickness you need to adhere to. 

You can also use R-value maps to determine the best thickness and ratings for where you live. For example, someone in Texas doesn’t need as thick of insulation as someone in Montana. Energy Star has a good one you can reference.

If you have bubble wrap lying around the house and you don’t care about the odd look, taping bubble wrap over a window is a very affordable way to insulate it. Another inexpensive option for insulating windows is to add new caulk around the glass. This step quickly cuts down on air drafts for older windows, and a tube of caulk only costs a few dollars. Adding plastic shrink film around the glass is another cost-effective option. You can purchase a kit of plastic film for a few dollars per window.

The primary purpose of insulation is to maintain comfortable temperatures in a home, whether that’s cool air when it’s hot out, or warm air in winter, but that’s not all it can do. All options will also minimize heating and cooling needs, lowering both your carbon footprint and energy bills in turn. And some options, like rigid foam boards, even offer soundproofing benefits, too.