Insulation keeps cold air in during the winter and hot air out in the summer to improve comfort and save energy. It also helps to muffle noise.
Upgrading insulation is one of the best home improvements you can make. Insulation prevents heat gain or loss, so your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house comfortable.
Summer
Many homeowners think of insulation as a winter benefit, but it’s just as important in summer. It prevents chilly air from entering the home and hot outdoor air from penetrating it in the same way that it keeps cold air from escaping in the winter.
Insulation also helps maintain a comfortable temperature in the home, which means you’ll be using less energy to keep your house cool. Your air conditioning will need to run less, which reduces your energy costs and also reduces wear on your cooling system.
You’ll save energy all year round, which is especially helpful when utility prices are high. In fact, a well-insulated home often uses 60% less energy than a poorly-insulated one.
In addition to saving money, insulating your home will reduce outside noise and make it more comfortable for you and your family. If you live near an airport, school, or highway, the sound from these areas can penetrate into your house and affect your level of comfort. Insulation absorbs and blocks the sounds, making your home a quiet place to relax.
Insulating your attic, if it is unfinished or has poor ventilation, will help to lower your home’s temperature and reduce the strain on your heating and cooling systems during the summer. If you have ductwork in the attic, it is a good idea to insulate those ducts too.
Insulating your garage can be a simple DIY project, especially if the space shares a door with the living spaces of your home. This will help to save energy, reduce drafts, and increase the value of your home. If your three-season room has uninsulated walls, you’ll waste a lot of energy trying to heat it up during the winter, which can be expensive and uncomfortable.
Winter
With winter right around the corner, it’s time to think about insulating your home. This is a smart investment that will save you money on energy costs and make your home more comfortable.
Insulation and air sealing prevents heat loss in the winter and cold drafts in your home. It also regulates indoor humidity levels, minimizing mold and wood rot, and extends the life of your HVAC equipment.
In the summer, a well-insulated home will keep cool air inside where it belongs, rather than having it escape through walls, ceilings and floors. This can help lower your energy bills by reducing the amount of time and work required to cool your home.
It will also slow the speed at which your roof and attic rafters warm up from the sun. This means you won’t have to cool your home as quickly, and the attic insulation will serve to hold that warmth in over night, lowering your cooling costs even more.
Upgrading your home’s insulation can help increase its resale value, especially in hot or cold climates. People often want a more comfortable and energy efficient home, making insulation a valuable investment.
In addition to regulating temperatures, insulating your home will reduce outside noises and help you sleep better. If you have snorers, noisy neighbors or live on a busy road, your home’s insulation will help muffle the sounds of traffic and voices. This is especially helpful in multi-family homes and family environments. Insulation and air sealing materials block outdoor contaminants like pollen, dust mites and pet dander, creating a healthier indoor environment. It will also minimize moisture from leaking into your home, which can damage the structure and create health issues.
Spring
Insulation stops the flow of thermal energy into and out of your home, resulting in lower energy bills year-round. In fact, the cost of insulation is typically paid for through energy savings in less than a year!
Spring is a great time for an insulation upgrade because it allows you to take advantage of the mild temperatures. It’s also common for homeowners to renovate their homes during the spring and it’s more convenient to undergo an attic insulation upgrade during this period than in summer when the weather can be more extreme.
If your current attic insulation is inadequate, the warm air generated by your heating system in winter will easily escape into the living areas of your home, leading to higher energy bills and discomfort. Spray foam insulation creates a long-lasting air barrier that keeps conditioned air in and outdoor irritants like dust, pollen, and mold out, keeping your indoor comfort level consistent throughout the seasons.
Upgrading your existing basement and attic insulation in spring will also help you stay cool in summer by preventing warm air from seeping through the ceiling and walls of your house. This means your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home comfortable, resulting in a significant reduction in your energy bills.
Effective attic insulation also helps reduce the amount of circulating allergens, such as dust and pollens, in your home. This is especially beneficial in the spring when outdoor irritants are at their peak. Spray foam insulation seals crawl spaces, air leaks, and other sources of allergen intrusion, resulting in a cleaner and healthier indoor environment for your family. In addition to improving your indoor comfort, a well-installed insulation system will improve the value of your property and make it easier to sell in the future.