Of all the home improvements you can make, improving your insulation can have the biggest impact on your comfort. Insulation is that protective barrier inside the walls, floor, and ceiling of your home that helps prevent heat loss and gain. Without proper insulation, you spend more on energy, and your home’s temperature isn’t as consistent as it should be. If you’re still not convinced that an insulation upgrade is overdue in your home, check out these four reasons to improve the insulation in your home.
Better Insulation Lowers Your Energy Bill
When you improve the insulation in your home, your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard because it’s easier to maintain a comfortable temperature. This translates into a lower monthly energy bill. There is an upfront cost to improving your home’s insulation, but the money savings over time can be significant. This is especially true in an older home that was not originally outfitted with high-efficiency, blown-in insulation.
On top of a lower energy bill, you may be eligible for a rebate on your taxes by improving your home’s insulation. Many home improvements qualify you for rebates. Check Energy.Gov to see what tax incentives are available in your area.
High-Quality Insulation Reduces Energy Waste
According to the U.S. Department of Energy via Stanford Magazine, 31 percent of the air that escapes from your home happens through the floors, walls, and ceiling of your home. That’s why insulation is so important — it creates a barrier that stops energy waste in your home.
You can replace old or damaged batting with better-quality insulation to reduce energy waste. If you have no idea what kind of insulation you have in your home, hire an HVAC professional to inspect your insulation and make recommendations for improvements. Sometimes all you need is extra insulation blown into the rafters of your home.
Insulation Increases Comfort Levels in Your Home
Winter is cold enough without having to worry about air drafts and uneven heating in your home. This is one of the best reasons to assess and improve the insulation in your home. You shouldn’t have to worry about pockets of cold air, especially if you have young children or elderly people living in your house. Improving your home’s insulation can provide more comfortable and even temperatures throughout your home, both in the winter and in the summer.
Better Insulation Improves the Air Quality in Your Home
Sealing your home with insulation is also an excellent way to control the air and moisture that flows through your home. You can minimize pollutants and drastically improve the air quality in your home by eliminating leaks and cracks where air can enter and escape. If you add new insulation and an air purifier, your family will see the health benefits.
The advantages of improving your home’s insulation are obvious. Contact an HVAC professional to find out the quality of the insulation in your home and if any changes are needed. It might not cost as much as you expect.