You may think your home is well insulated, especially if it’s a newer home. The majority of Austin homeowners believe insulating the attic is most important, and that insufficient insulation in this area will result in warmer indoor temperatures in summer, and cooler indoor temperatures in winter. While attic insulation is certainly important, what you don’t know may surprise you!
About a quarter of conditioned (heated or cooled) air escapes through the attic, but what you may be surprised to learn is that more than a third of conditioned air (about 35%) actually escapes through the walls. Why is this?
In homes built prior to 1980, insulation in the walls is often lacking because there were no regulations in place. That means if your home is 38 years old or older, you probably don’t have sufficient insulation in the walls. Even in newer homes you would be surprised to find many aren’t well insulated, or insulated using inferior products with a low R-value.
A well insulated home using spray foam insulation keeps your conditioned air where it belongs; inside your home. The cool thing about spray foam insulation is that there typically isn’t any tearing out of walls involved, and that it can usually be installed through small holes in the exterior walls which are closed upon completion of the project. No one will ever know other than you – but you’ll definitely notice the improved comfort in your home along with lower utility costs.
Because insulation is a building component that’s mostly hidden from view, many homeowners don’t realize just how insufficient their insulation is – or that the R-value of the insulation that does exist isn’t up to par. A higher R-value means you’ll enjoy a cooler home in summer months and a warmer home during winter months, keeping uncomfortable air outdoors where it belongs.
The importance of quality insulation and high R-values can’t be stressed enough when it comes to your comfort, keeping heating/cooling costs, down, and even reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere while increasing the value of your home. To learn more about the various types of insulation and what’s best for your needs, contact the Austin spray foam insulation experts at HabiShield.