8 Benefits of Insulating Your Home
Most homeowners lose too much heating and cooling energy due to poor insulation. Heat naturally moves from warm to cold regions, which can make your indoor temperature unbearable. Luckily you can use insulation to fill gaps in your house and slow down the airflow. Here are some benefits of a properly insulated house.
1. Saves on Energy
Inadequate insulation allows the conditioned air to seep out of the house and lets in outdoor air. This increases the volume of air that your HVAC unit will need to cool or heat, resulting in more energy consumption. Adding a layer of insulation to the roof, walls, windows, and floor makes your house more energy efficient, and you will notice a significant decrease in your energy bills. You will prevent heat loss in winter and heat entry during summer, reducing the amount of time that you need to run your unit. The less energy you use to heat or cool your house, the more the savings.
2. Increases Comfort Level
A poorly insulated house may get too hot during summer and too cold in the winter months, which affects your family member’s comfort. If you rely much on a blanket or fireplace during winter or need to run the fan for an extended period in summer, check the insulation. Other times you find that the basement is sweltering, but the bedroom is freezing. Adding a layer of insulation will help ensure consistent distribution of temperature throughout the house. Insulation keeps the heat movement at a minimum, so you will stay cozy all year round, no matter how scorching the sun or harsh the winter cold is.
3. Helps Protect the Environment
Quality insulation reduces energy consumption while heating or cooling your house, which preserves non-renewable resources. It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowering the risk of global warming or acidic rain. Once you save energy, you also help lower the pollution level associated with energy generation. There are even some insulation materials in the market made from eco-friendly products. For instance, the loose-fill insulation is made from recycled newspapers treated with natural chemicals. Alternatively, you can opt for those made from natural fibers like cotton or wool. There are even foam insulation materials made from natural soy, which are formaldehyde-free. Before you insulate your house, it’s a good idea to consult a professional to pick the best possible option that will help lower your carbon footprint.
4. Helps Control Moisture Levels
Insulation paired with proper sealing is part of a whole-house approach to manage moisture. Quality insulation prevents water accumulation in the attic, basement, and other areas. In turn, it limits the chances of mold growth. If you fail to insulate the attic adequately, it might let the water trickle into your house. This can damage your valuable property, and if left for long, it can compromise the structural integrity of your house. Remember that it’s easier to remove and replace old insulation than to replace the entire roof.
Insulation will also help prevent corrosion on the pipes, the ductwork, and the roof drains. Note that when you operate your equipment or use piping at a temperature lower than the ambient air, it causes the moisture in the air to condense and form water on the cold surfaces. Unless you cover such surfaces adequately with thick enough insulation, the water droplets will cause corrosion.
5. Soundproofs Your Home
When properly installed, insulation can reduce the amount of noise that travels from one room to the other throughout your house. The insulation materials absorb the noise or enclose the noise-generating areas to limit sound transmission through the walls, floors, and ceiling to the surrounding areas. Meaning that while you can run appliances in one room, another person can listen to music without disrupting a third person sleeping in the same house. High-quality insulation also prevents the transmission of exterior noise by absorbing reverberating sounds within the house. It makes your home a peaceful and quiet place to relax.
6. Creates a Healthy Environment
Insulation and air sealing can help maintain a healthy home. The materials block outdoor contaminants like pollen, dust, and volatile chemicals that can cause respiratory illnesses. Insulation also helps prevent mold growth which can trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Having fewer irritants in the air means fewer sick days and lower medical bills. Remember that exposure to excessively high or low temperatures can suppress your immune system. Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures during winter can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, or even hypothermia. On the other hand, the hot weather can cause heat rash, cramps, exhaustion, and heatstroke. Insulation helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature that reduces your chances of getting sick.
7. Protects Your HVAC System
If a lot of air escapes from your house, you will have to run your unit for a more extended period to compensate for the loss. This, in turn, strains vital HVAC system components calling for frequent repairs. With time, as the unit continues to work harder, it will eventually fail prematurely. Insulation limits heat exchange rate through surfaces, reducing the time you need to run your HVAC system. With a properly insulated house and regular HVAC maintenance, your unit will serve you longer.
8. Increases Your House’s Resale Value
For those who plan to resell their house in the future, adding insulation increases the value of their property. Potential homebuyers are likely to pay more for an energy-efficient house since there are fewer adjustments for them to do. There are numerous insulation solutions, and you will always find a material that best suits your house design. You can even choose to do the insulation in tiers to avoid high upfront costs. Insulation materials covering exposed spaces also give a finished appearance to the house, so it’s likely to entice buyers. You will attract better prices for your home once you’re ready to resell, and you will see the returns on the investment. Even if you don’t plan to sell your home, increasing its value will increase your equity.
Do You Want to Increase Your Home’s Efficiency? Consider Insulation
Insulating your house may seem like a hassle, but it comes with multiple benefits. You will significantly reduce your energy usage, improve comfort levels, and lower emissions. Most insulation materials are also fire resistant, and they will help improve the safety level of your house. While it may seem like an expensive investment upfront, the cost of not insulating your home is even higher.
Once you insulate the house, with minimal maintenance, you will enjoy significant savings from the investment for as long as you live in the house. Choosing suitable insulation materials for your house is a bit complex, so you need to consult a specialist to ensure that you pick the best option. Having it installed by an experienced technician will maximize efficiency.
If you need help in improving your house’s efficiency, reach out to Summit Heating & Cooling in North Kansas City. Our company offers heating and cooling systems installation, repair, and tune-up services. We also provide commercial HVAC, ductless mini-splits, duct cleaning, water heater, and indoor air quality services in Kansas, MO. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment.
