A properly insulated home can keep you comfortable year-round while reducing heating and cooling costs. But how can you tell if your home is properly insulated?

There are standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy based on your region and which part of the home is being insulated. The standards are measured in R-Value, which goes up as insulation levels improve.

The measurement provides a simple way to compare different kinds of insulation materials. R-25 of spray foam is equally as effective as R-25 of blown-in cellulose or R-25 of fiberglass batt insulation. You just may need more or less of those materials to achieve the appropriate R-Value.

If you want to do a checkup on your own, here's how you can get a quick look:

• Attics and crawl spaces are relatively easy to inspect visually, assuming you have access.
• To check in walls, you can remove an outlet and check the cavity behind it. If the wall is full of insulation, you're probably OK. If there's little to no insulation, you have some work to do.

The best bet is to have a professional audit. A professional will use a thermal camera to sense how well the insulation is performing. For best results, have it done when there is a big difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.

Checking the insulation levels of your home can be done in an afternoon with plenty of time to spare. And if your home isn't up to standards, it can help you make your home more comfortable and save money on your energy bills.