Why Do I Need to Install Insulation?
Saving energy reducing monthly bills is at the top of nearly every homeowner’s priority list—understandably so. Heating and cooling accounts for almost half of the average house’s utility costs. But with the right solutions, you can save money every month. Programmable thermostats and ENERGY STAR® products aren’t the only options.
As hidden as insulation is (behind the walls, under the floors, etc.), it can play a significant role in the overall efficiency of your home. Installing insulation is actually one of the best ways to ensure your home stays as energy-efficient and comfortable as possible all year long.
Need new home insulation? Call 208-488-4962 or contact us online to get a free estimate!
How Insulation Works
Heat flows naturally from a warmer to a cooler space. In winter, the heat moves directly from all heated living spaces to the outdoors, and during the summer, it moves from outside to the house’s interior. Insulating ceilings, walls, and floors decreases the heating or cooling needed (to maintain comfortable indoor levels) by providing resistance to heat flow.
Benefits of Insulation
Whether you are building a new house, remodeling or simply want to make updates to the home you’ve lived in for 20 years, the right amount of insulation—installed the right way—offers many short- and long-term benefits. In addition to home energy savings, insulation can help:
- Increase comfort: Air sneaks into your home a few different ways, most often through gaps in walls, ceilings, windows and doors. Insulation stops the transfer of heat—so a home that isn’t properly insulated can be drafty and uncomfortable.
- Reduce noise: Insulation can reduce noises not only from outside but also between different rooms and levels inside your house. The best types of insulation for soundproofing are loose-fill cellulose and blown-in fiberglass.
- Protect against air and water infiltration: Water infiltration can lead to problems like mold and mildew growth, and can also cause your energy bills to increase. Insulation can help eliminate these problems.
- Improve the market value of your home: Properly insulated homes can have a higher market value than homes that aren’t. If you’re moving in the next couple of years, you’ll definitely want to consider re-insulation.
The Amount of Insulation Matters
Insulation won’t be effective if it’s not installed correctly or you don’t have the right amount for your climate and home (which is why we never recommend DIY projects).
What is the right amount of insulation for your home?
It’s related to the R-value. Generally, a higher R-value means a more effective insulator—but the highest R-value possible may not be necessarily right for your project. Homes in certain climates don’t need as much insulation as others. For example, homeowners in Florida don’t need to worry about insulating against extremely cold temperatures—the weather is quite different here in Idaho. That’s why different regions of the United States have different recommended insulation levels. Here in the Boise area, we are in zone 5.
Source: energystar.gov
Contact Big City Insulation of Boise for Expert Home Insulation
Whatever your insulation needs, look no further than the Big City Insulation of Idaho team. We work with builders, contractors and homeowners throughout the Boise area and look forward to helping you with your project.
Contact us today to learn more! Call 208-488-4962 to learn about our home retrofit insulation services!
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