If you are fortunate enough to live in a climate where there is a large variety of temperatures throughout the year, then you already know that it is a challenge keeping your home temperature at the optimum level of comfort. Most people maintain the internal temperature of their house with a gas or electric heater or an HVAC system. These appliances are very effective at heating a home quickly in the winter and cooling it down in the summer.
Whether you’re using solar panels, HVAC, or a wood burning stove to get your house to the right level for comfort, there is one investment that will not only help you to do that but will also save you money along the way. Anyone who is working towards an energy efficient home will seriously consider insulation as one of the most efficient ways to save energy. In fact, it is estimated that a single home can save as much as $500 or more on energy bills a year, simply by installing insulation.
When you have insulation energy efficiency, you can not only get your home to the optimum temperature, but you keep it that way all year. Whether it is cold or hot outside, your home will maintain a set temperature no matter what. A well-insulated home will not only have it installed in their walls, but also on the floors, windows, and the roof.
In a typical home without insulation, around 30 to 40% of heat is lost through the walls, another 25% is lost through the roof, and a further 20% is lost through the windows and doors. Insulation blocks the escape of air so that there is minimal change to the inside environment, and you’re not paying to heat the great outdoors.
What is Insulation?
Insulation can be made of a wide variety of materials, but generally, is designed to have a structure that is very close to that of wool. If you examine it closely, you will notice that it has tiny little pockets designed to trap the air inside, in much the same way as wool or down coat will keep you warm in the coldest of winters.
Some of the most efficient insulators are made from cotton or hemp. So, you may be thinking of insulation in terms of the stuff you stick in your walls, but a heavy set of curtains over your windows can also be very good insulators. Wood-based products can even be a good source of insulation; so having wooden doors, or hardwood wherever you can be excellent sources for keeping air from escaping.
The walls of a home are usually insulated with a spray foam solution that has a polyurethane base. These are great for filling in the gaps and cracks that may appear throughout your home over the years. The type you use will depend on the kind of area you want to insulate.
Cavity walls where there is a gap between the inner and the outer sections can have insulation inserted into the gap by drilling holes and coating the inside with spray foam. For roof insulation, it can be applied right under the roof, and adhesive strips can be used around doors and windows.
If your goal is to keep your house energy efficient, insulation is the best way to do it. However, it doesn’t matter if you’re trying to save on your energy bills or save the world, insulating your home is the best way to go. For more questions on how to choose insulation for your home, feel free to call us here at A-1 Guaranteed, so we can help you make the best choice.
