You may not think about home insulation often, but many homes these days are under- or improperly insulated—could there be issues with the insulation in your home? Indicators of a home that is not benefiting fully from good quality, properly installed insulation can range from persistently increasing energy bills every month and outside noises sounding louder to uncomfortable indoor temperatures and a seemingly unhealthy environment in the home. All of these are prime signs that could mean problems with your insulation.
So how can you make sure you’re getting the most out of your home insulation in West Lorne, ON? Here are some tips for ensuring your home is properly insulated:
- Consider the climate: Whether living in a warmer area or a colder one, climate will affect how well your home’s insulation works for you, especially if the temperature inside the home is very different from the outside. Utilize the R-value to measure the heat flow resistance of insulation, which indicates the insulating power of individual insulation materials—a higher R-value indicates greater insulating power regardless of material type, weight or thickness.
- Consider materials--and who installed them: Whether doing it for the first time during new home construction or installing new insulation after removing the old, get the best value for your money on insulation materials for every area of your home. Home insulation is an important investment. Skimp on hiring the right people to provide proper installation and you’ll end up having to deal with energy loss and air and moisture leakage.
The recommended insulation materials for residential buildings are fiberglass and spray foam. Rollout fiberglass insulation—also called batts or blankets—provides nice edge-to-edge coverage, while spray foam offers coverage flexibility. Both types are good for insulating many areas of your home, including:
- The attic and flat ceilings: It’s important to properly insulate your attic if you want to be sure you’re keeping energy inside your home and keeping cold winter drafts at bay.
- The basement: Don’t overlook the basement’s floor and walls. Even if you are not using this space for living purposes, insulating it will benefit the rest of the home by keeping out hot or cold temperatures starting from its lowest level.
- Exterior walls: To help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, make sure insulation is properly installed in the walls around the perimeter of your home. Ideally, you’ll just want all walls within the home to be fitted with a high standard insulation.
- The home’s foundation: Heat and air can escape through the foundation, just as energy can make a run for it out the attic. If not insulated, your indoor flooring is likely to hinder your quest to reduce heating costs and be more energy efficient this winter.
Insulation is most effective if it’s installed properly, and in the right places—be sure to protect your home from top to bottom. For more information on how to benefit the most from your insulation, and to find quality home insulation in West Lorne, ON, contact the team at Chase Insulation today!