The spring season means new goals and lists – some personal, some practical, like home improvements. You might have a never-ending list for home improvements, or maybe you just want to make a few improvements. We will examine in this article why properly insulated homes are beneficial and why home insulation and ventilation should be a top priority when choosing what home improvements to make this new year.
What is Insulation?
In order to understand the benefits of a properly insulated home, we first need to understand what insulation and ventilation is, as well as its purpose. Your home’s enclosure is what keeps the outside elements out. For example, your walls and roof. Insulation is found between the inside of your home and the outside environment. Insulation acts as a barrier so that heat doesn’t pass through it, thus keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. You may be wondering why – in addition to increased home comfort – a properly insulated and ventilated house is beneficial.
Insulation Reduces Your Utility Bills
With a high-energy insulated home you’ll be able to lower your heating and cooling usage. It helps you save on your utility bills over the year, and lowers your carbon footprint because less energy is used.
Decreases Your Carbon Footprint
In fact, a properly insulated home significantly reduces your carbon footprint, which includes energy consumption. Therefore, an insulated home is much more environmentally friendly.
Increases Your Home’s Value
Compared to modern homes, older homes often have less insulation, but adding insulation to a newer home can pay for itself within a few years. Additionally, increased insulation greatly increases the value of your home. Even if you do not plan to sell your home soon, its value will still gradually increase over time until you are ready to sell.
Greater Home Safety
A well-insulated house is also a safer house. Why? It protects you and your family by lowering hot surface temperatures and preventing accidental burns. Insulation is also an excellent fire protection when used with other materials. Insulation is important for fire protection on firestop systems, grease and air ducts, and in electrical and communications outlets and cables. Many types of insulation are impermeable to pests, which is an added bonus.
Noise Control
Whether you live on a noisy road or have noisy neighbors, insulating your home can make a world of difference to controlling the noise that enters your home, and also control the noise that escapes from your home.
Choosing the Right Insulation
Its ability to resist heat leaking in or out is referred to as its ‘R-value’. The level and amount of insulation you need depends on your home, as well as the climate you live in. You should also be aware that improperly installed insulation may fail to achieve its stated R-value. Installing insulation incorrectly can damage and compress the insulation, and result in gaps between the batts or sheets.
So, Does Your Home Need Insulation?
The bottom line is, does your home really need insulation? We say ‘yes!’ Insulation is energy-saving, cost-effective, good for the environment, and a great noise-controller. It doesn’t matter whether you’re renovating, building, or replacing your old insulation; there are options available to suit your requirements. The final thing you should keep in mind is that when insulating your home, you should always consider hiring a professional and qualified contractor like MGT Insulation in Little Canada, MN for the job.