It’s 2020, and that means going green isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good for your wallet too. However, if you don’t pay attention to your home insulation, you could end up spending way more than you need to, wasting both money and resources on heating and cooling your home. Improving your home insulation can be a crucial first step in modernizing your energy system, whether that means installing solar panels or water heating, heat pumps, or any other green energy source.
Why Does Insulation Save Energy?
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a British Conservation organization, the average three-bedroom semi-detached house can save upwards of $350 in a year just by installing cavity and loft wall insulation. So, how exactly does home insulation save all that money and energy? Well, in short, it keeps cold out in the winter and heats out in the summer, keeping your home temperature relatively stable all year round.
It’s important to make sure you’ve got the right house insulation to get the most bang for your buck. Modern or newly built houses typically come with good insulation, but older homes will most likely need an update. Knowing what kind of insulation, and where it is, will have a huge influence on how well it works.
Speaking of where your insulation is; you have a few choices when it comes to getting new house insulation installed. It can be installed in the walls, floors, and ceilings, but walls and ceilings are the most important. The average home loses about 40 percent of its heat through its walls, and about 25 percent through its ceiling, so having quality insulation in those places can be crucial.
What are House Insulators Made of?
Generally speaking, a good house insulator is one that traps air, and in turn, heat. For most that mean having a structure like wool, which can trap tiny air pockets. Fabrics like cotton and hemp can be great for this purpose, which means that things like good curtains will help insulate your home. Spray foam insulators can be used for roofs and walls as they’re great for filling in gaps, and fiberglass insulation is common in walls.
Types of Insulation
There are different types of house insulation and they’re meant for different things. For wall insulation, there are two types: cavity wall insulation and solid wall insulation. Cavity wall insulation is used when there is a gap between the inner and outer walls. It is installed through holes that must be drilled into the walls and then refilled. Solid wall insulation is used when there is no wall cavity. It can be internal or external, depending on where the walls are. External solid wall insulation typically covers the façade of a house, while internal is commonly used in inner rooms.
Roof insulation also comes in two types: cold loft and warm loft. The cold loft is installed immediately above the ceiling of the top floor. Warm loft, on the other hand, is installed just under the roof. Warm loft house insulation is likely the more expensive of the two, but it’s also the more effective option.
Floor insulation is probably the least common and most expensive type of house insulation, so knowing what type of floor is in your home goes a long way to telling you if the investment will be worth it. Modern homes are likely to have concrete floor surfaces with insulators already installed. Older homes, however, tend to come with suspended floors which may be an easy escape route for heat. If you don’t think floor insulation is worth it, a great alternative is simply putting down a few rugs.
Need New Insulation?
Before you think about getting new insulation, make sure you find out everything there is to know about the house insulation you already have. If you’re looking at getting new house insulation, it’s worth considering changing to a green energy source at the same time. This can be a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money at the same time. Insulation, especially old insulation can be dangerous to breathe near, so it’s best to leave the installation to the experts. For great insulation contractors in Clearwater, contact Done Rite Insulation. To request a free estimate, call (727)-585-8747.
