There are a lot of things that need attention whenever the seasons change. From covering and uncovering your A/C unit outdoors to storing outdoor furniture for winter and bringing it out again, there’s a lot to be said for seasonal preparation. However, one thing that remains constant through the changing seasons is our need for insulation for proper heating and cooling in our homes (and enough of it).
While many people first think of winter warmth when they think of insulation, the truth is that we also need it just as much during those hot, humid days of summer, too. But how much insulation do we actually need?
How Much Insulation Does a Home Need?
Although we don’t (normally) have to deal with sub-zero temperatures in California, that doesn’t mean we don’t need just as much insulation as those who do. Most homes built prior to 1940 have no insulation at all in the attic space, and many homes built before 1965 also have none along the exterior walls. It simply wasn’t a code requirement back then. Homes built between 1950 and 1970 had to only have a minimum of R9 insulation in their attics.
As you know, heat rises, and without insulation in the attics, the heat in your home literally escapes through the roof right out to the outdoors. When exterior walls lack insulation, those walls condense during humid months, which can be a recipe for moisture build-up and mold.
However, now in California, proper insulation IS required, and the minimum is R39! This bump in R-factor is a testament to the importance of insulation and how much difference it can make not just in a home, but also in the community, the state, the nation, and globally.
The Importance of Insulation to Your Home
Having enough insulation will retain the heat inside during the winter and the cooled air during the summer. This means that your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard to reach the temperature you’ve set on the thermostat. It won’t run as long or as often, so your energy bills will reward you by being smaller, too.
Stabilizing the temperature in your home also means you won’t use as much energy to keep your home comfortable, reducing your carbon footprint. It’s entirely possible for a well-insulated home to use 60% less energy than a poorly insulated one! This reduces greenhouse gas emissions as well; the temperature fluctuations outdoors don’t affect the temperature of your home indoors nearly as much with proper insulation installed.
In addition, a home that has the proper amount of insulation might also be able to get away with having a smaller air conditioner and furnace, which is another opportunity for you to save money. If you have a raised foundation for your home, you should have insulation under your floors. This not only keeps your floors from being too cold but also reduces the amount of warm air that moves through the home (which is called “the stack effect”).
From preventing solar heat gain during those stifling summer months to blocking cold winter drafts during the coldest season, insulation can make a world of difference. Finally, it’s also a great way to improve the air quality in your home. When drafts from the outdoors are reduced, the amount of potential airborne pollutants that are drawn into your home decreases, and this includes mold and mildew spores.
If you’re interested in adding new insulation to your home to reap these benefits, contact A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air for service in the Bay Area today. Wall insulation and attic insulation both still qualify for BayREN rebates, so don’t wait!
