Insulation reduces energy consumption, helps preserve non-renewable resources and lowers greenhouse gas emissions. It also helps improve indoor air quality.
Home insulation can also increase the value of your home and save you money year-round. Read on to learn more about how.
A proper installation of insulation can dramatically reduce your energy costs. It will help you avoid overusing the AC and furnace, or settling for a too-hot or too-cold house.
Lower Utility Bills
Insulation is one of the simplest, most cost effective ways to reduce energy consumption and cut your electric bills. Adding insulation to your home can keep more heat in during winter and cool air in during summer, cutting the amount of time your furnace or AC has to run.
A great place to start is in your attic, as up to 40% of a house’s heat escapes through the ceiling. Good insulation in the attic can prevent most of this heat loss, keeping your heating and cooling systems working less often and for shorter periods. Insulating a wall is also an important step, especially around electrical outlets and anywhere utilities enter the building. Insulating these areas can prevent heat from escaping and help protect pipes from freezing.
Insulating your floors can also significantly cut your electricity usage, especially in rooms above unheated spaces such as garages or basements. Because heat rises, floor insulation is particularly important in colder climates where heating costs are high. Many states have programs to help offset the cost of upgrading your insulation. These may include tax credits, rebates or utility sponsored “weatherization” or “building envelope” programs that vet local contractors and cover the cost of installation. Regardless of what program you qualify for, it is worth investing in a well-insulated home to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Increased Comfort
Insulation reduces drafts and cold spots while helping to maintain a more consistent indoor temperature. It does this by preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, so your home doesn’t need to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Poorly insulated homes waste energy because heated or cooled air is escaping through walls, floors, and roofs. Blasting the furnace or air conditioner to quickly get the temperature back up or down can be costly, especially since it creates an extra workload for your system and increases your energy consumption. Insulation reduces air leakage by preventing unwanted movement and building thermal resistance, so your heating and cooling system doesn’t need to work as hard.
Floor insulation is particularly important because up to 15% of a home’s heat can escape through the floors. This is because heat rises, so it’s more likely to be lost in an unheated space. Insulation can also be installed in attics to prevent unwanted heat penetration and help to keep your home cool. It can also reduce noise penetration from outside, which is especially helpful if your home is located in a busy area or near a highway. Homeowners can save a national average of $1,500 on their utility bills and up to 15% on energy costs by installing and sealing insulation.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
Insulation significantly reduces the amount of energy needed to heat and cool buildings. The result is less energy consumption which in turn cuts down on fossil fuel use and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
It is important to note that insulation can have a very positive impact on the environment but it all depends on what type of insulation is used and how it is installed. The best way to ensure your insulation is properly installed is to reach out to reputable insulation contractors in Mount Laurel.
All insulation materials have some level of embodied carbon. This is the emissions created by the creation, transportation and installation of the insulation material. Some insulation materials have higher embodied carbon than others. Brian Just, Director of Engineering at Efficiency Vermont has been researching the embodied carbon impacts of spray foam insulation (closed and open cell), extruded polystyrene (XPS), fiberglass batt, wood fiber, stone wool, and cellulose.
The materials with the lowest embodied carbon are wood fiber and cellulose. These materials are made from recycled materials and can be produced locally. Other ways to reduce your carbon footprint include switching to LED bulbs, reducing screen time, and switching to a plant-based diet.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
The EPA states that indoor air has up to two to five times more pollutants than outdoor air, and many of these can contribute to respiratory issues. These pollutants can come from paints and paint products, wood preservatives, household cleaners, and office and cleaning supplies. Insulation helps reduce the amount of indoor air pollutants and keeps dust, pollen, and other allergens from entering your home, which can alleviate allergy symptoms.
If you’re sneezing or suffering from headaches and nosebleeds in your home, it may be time to consider insulation upgrades. A professional energy audit can help you determine where the best place to add insulation is in your home, though for most homes–especially older ones built before 1960–the attic is a great starting point.
While it’s important to keep in mind that the cost of adding or replacing insulation can add up, most homeowners are able to achieve at least a break even return on their investment when it comes to lower energy bills and improved comfort and health. You’ll also be cutting your carbon footprint and helping the environment in the process. This is why insulation has been named one of the greenest technologies of all time. We’ve crunched the numbers and found that, on average, homeowners save $200-500 per year on heating and cooling costs after a home insulation upgrade.