If you’re concerned about rising energy bills, a drafty house or draughts then retrofit insulation is the solution.
It is generally easier and more cost-effective to insulate a new build home or building during construction, but there are ways to fit insulation into existing walls that have no access.
There are a few different methods of retrofit wall insulation that will suit your home’s needs best, based on budget and how much disruption you can cope with.
Reduce Energy Bills
Insulation retrofitting is a great way to turn your old house into a paragon of comfort and energy efficiency. Upgrading your walls with foam insulation helps you save money by preventing heat loss during the winter and heat gain in summer. It also reduces the need for heating and cooling appliances, which is a big benefit if you live in an area with high energy prices or an older home that was poorly insulated to begin with.
A typical retrofit project includes a thorough inspection of your existing insulation to determine its condition and performance. If the insulation is wet, damaged or infested with pests, it may need to be removed and replaced. Insulation professionals will then add new insulation to your property, depending on the best option for your particular situation.
The primary reason to upgrade your existing insulation is that it can reduce your energy bills. Insulation prevents heat loss during the winter and heat gain in the summer, making it easier to regulate the temperature in your building or home and saving you money on heating and cooling costs.
Retrofit insulation can also be applied to your piping, which is a key part of any decarbonizing retrofit. If your piping is uninsulated, it will lose heat to the surrounding air constantly, resulting in higher energy consumption.
Increase Home Comfort
While new insulation is normally installed during construction of a building or home, it can also be retrofitted to existing structures. This is known as re-insulating and will provide significant comfort improvements all year round, as well as energy savings.
You may need retrofit insulation if your energy bills have been steadily increasing, or you notice that temperatures between rooms aren’t uniform. A qualified insulation expert can advise on which products will be best for your home and recommend measures such as draught proofing, ventilation and advice on smarter energy use.
Besides making your home more comfortable, insulating your walls can also help to reduce noise levels. This is important if you live in a busy neighbourhood where street or neighbours noises can be distracting. It can also increase your property value, as buyers will be impressed with the thermal efficiency of your home or office and know that it will save them money on their energy bills.
According to our calibrated energy model, increasing the insulation in 46 million existing homes by one level (from current practice to IECC 2000 standards) would save 800 TBTU per year – 17 MMBTU for electricity, gas and fuel oil. This is equivalent to approximately 3,100 fewer deaths, 6500 fewer restricted activity days and 190,000 fewer tons of NOx and SO2. Energy savings from the use of natural gas for space heating are twice as large as those from electricity usage alone.
Reduce Air Leakage
Whether your existing home was under-insulated or the insulation has settled over time, upgrading it can help reduce air leakage and lower energy bills. Upgrading to the latest high-performance insulation material is the best way to ensure your home is comfortable and energy efficient year round.
Having an uncomfortable home isn’t just frustrating, it can also be costly. Drafty walls, hot or cold spots, and skyrocketing energy costs can be a sign that your insulation needs to be upgraded.
Retrofitting wall insulation is an easy, cost-effective way to reduce these problems and make your home more energy efficient. This method can be done in any home, regardless of age or structure.
The most common type of insulation used in retrofits is loose-fill insulation such as fiberglass batting. It has the ability to fill spaces without disturbing existing structures or finishes, making it ideal for retrofits and hard-to-reach areas like behind stud walls.
It’s also possible to retrofit walls with closed-cell spray foam insulation, which is highly effective and can seal gaps and cracks. It can be used to insulate the inside of a wall cavity as well as around plumbing and electrical services that run through it, reducing energy costs and improving comfort. The spray is applied to the interior of the wall and then sealed with an adhesive, making it quick and easy to do in any home.
Increase Home Value
Adding insulation to your home can increase its value and provide additional living space. It also improves energy efficiency, reduces air leakage, and provides comfort year-round. You can choose to have your walls insulated with traditional fiberglass batting or spray foam. Both are affordable options. However, cellulose insulation is more effective and can be installed without removing existing walls.
Increasing the amount of insulation in your home can dramatically reduce your energy costs and carbon footprint. In some cases, a retrofit can even achieve household energy reductions of up to 90%. These so-called deep energy retrofits are accomplished by addressing all or nearly all household energy loads, including heating, cooling, hot water, lighting, plug load, and appliances.
While new construction homes typically get a great deal of insulation, it is sometimes necessary to retrofit older buildings and homes. This is because insulation can settle over time, or could have been installed incorrectly in the first place.
If you are experiencing high energy bills or if your house is drafty or has inconsistent temperatures from room to room, you may need a wall retrofit. Contact us to book a home assessment and we can recommend the best option for you.