Being a homeowner is a big responsibility. You likely have a lot on your mind on any given day and are always working on home improvement projects. One area you simply can’t afford to ignore is your home’s insulation.
There are many benefits to insulation and air sealing you must learn more about. This way you can get a comfortable and efficient home that meets your needs and functions effectively. Continue reading to learn more about what goes into insulating for the winter and all year long and why it’s a good idea to tackle this project now.
Why Your Home Should be Insulated
Naturally, heat moves from warmer areas to colder areas. What insulation does is resist this movement through ceilings, floors, walls, and other surfaces. When you air seal and insulate your home properly you reduce heat from coming in during the summer and exiting in the winter. The last situation you want is to be cold and chilly when winter hits and the temperatures drop, or too warm in the heat of the summer. Insulation acts as a buffer between you and the outside weather conditions. You will be as comfortable as possible when you invest in quality insulation.
It not only works to help control the temperature and energy costs but also helps with noise levels. The majority of homeowners find that upgrading their home’s insulation is well worth the investment and that it pays off in comfort and savings. You risk always being uncomfortable in your own home during the various seasons if you fail to have the right insulation.
Check if Your House is Well-Insulated
A wise first step in the process is to see if your home is already well-insulated or not. Pay attention to your energy bills and notice if they’re unusually high or not. An additional sign is if your heating and cooling units seem to be working on overdrive just to maintain a comfortable temperature. Use your hand to check the temperature of interior floors and ceilings. If they’re damp and cold then you likely have a problem.
The correct amount of insulation will keep your home feeling just right. Another way to check if your house is well-insulated is to confirm there are no drafts and that your home stays at a consistent temperature throughout the entire house.
How to Best Insulate Your Home
There are some tips you can apply that will help you best insulate your home, especially during warm and cold spells. For starters, you should check and maintain your HVAC system annually. You should change your HVAC filters monthly especially during the heating and cooling seasons when the system is most active. It’ll run more efficiently and will help control the air quality. Maximize the airflow amount and levels by moving furniture and other items away from vents.
Another tip is to assess your heating zones so you can best insulate your home. Think about where you need the heat the most and where you spend the majority of your time. You may want to swap out sheers for heavier curtains. Cellular shades do a good job of controlling the heat in your home.
Take the time to seal your doorways if you want to keep your home insulated properly. You can seal it off and prevent air exchange by putting weather-stripping around the door jamb. If you find you have a draft at the bottom of your door, you can install a door sweep. Installing storm panels over your windows and storm doors help stop drafts and increase comfort at the same time.
If there’s one area you should insulate and pay attention to the most, it’s your attic. Hire the pros to come insulate and air seal your attic for you. You want to be sure to keep the heat out of the attic space, and in your home where it belongs in the winter and the attics heat out of your home in the summer.
Pros of Correctly Insulating & Air Sealing Your Home
There are many benefits of correctly insulating your home you should know about. For starters, the temperature will be more even and consistent, there will be fewer drafts, you’ll have lower energy bills, and the interior surfaces won’t feel as cold in the morning after you insulate your home. Additional benefits or proper home insulation include:
- Greater indoor comfort overall
- Increased home energy efficiency
- Lower monthly utility bills
- Reduced stress on HVAC equipment
- Longer lasting HVAC equipment
- Better indoor air quality
- Fewer openings for insects and rodents to make their way in
Correctly Insulating Your Home
When insulating your home for the winter and all year long, there are also some things to be aware of. Insulating your home should be done by professionals to ensure it is being done correctly. In some cases, you may want to remove the old existing insulation.
On the other hand, having a poorly insulated home can contribute to issues with dampness, condensation, and even mold. The correct amount of insulation installed incorrectly may also cause some of the same issues. It’s another great reason why you should hire an expert to complete the job instead of trying to do it yourself.
Creating an Energy-Efficient Home
It can be frustrating and upsetting to receive high energy bills without any explanation. One reason you may be having high energy bills is that your home is poorly insulated. Instead, insulating your home properly can help your home to be energy efficient and cut down on energy bills. The right amount of insulation will reduce the exchange of heat through your ceilings, floors, walls, and roof. Creating and building an energy-efficient home requires you to carefully select where you place and how you install the insulation materials.
When your home is insulated correctly there will be less heat lost in the winter and your home will stay warmer. The reverse will happen in the summer, less heat will be gained and you’ll be cooler when it’s hot outside. In turn, you’ll be reducing the amount of energy needed for cooling and heating. When you have a well-insulated and air-sealed home, it will provide you year-round comfort all while reducing your cooling and heating bills, and greenhouse gas emissions. An energy-efficient home is not only good for your wallet and energy bills but also for the environment.
Next Steps
You now know more about insulating your home for the heating and cooling seasons and why it’s important. Get a better idea of where your home stands starting with an energy audit and then be willing to improve the areas that need it. Your home is a significant investment and you spend a lot of time in it. It’s worth your effort, time, and investment to make enhancements that allow you to enjoy your spaces more.
Learn more about how you can improve the comfort of your home by installing the proper amount and type of insulation. B&E Energy Solutions installs a number of types of insulation to make these benefits possible inside your home, including blown cellulose insulation and fiberglass insulation. You’ll not only be improving the comfort of it but making your property more energy-efficient too. Our team of experts can take care of this job for you at an affordable cost. Save on utility bills and increase the comfort of your home with our innovative “Whole House” approach. We have over 25 years of experience and promise to provide the best solution for not only your home but your wallet too. It doesn’t matter if your project is large or small, we have the knowledge and expertise to get it done right the first time. We encourage you to get in touch today and schedule an appointment.
