Our Austin spray foam insulation team knows that insulation is a good thing, but can you have too much of a good thing? The truth is most homes are under-insulated, especially those that are older. Adequate insulation is a must for keeping your home comfortable regardless of the season, and helps keep energy costs low because your HVAC system won’t run as often in an effort to cool or heat your home. Back to the question at hand: Can you have too much insulation?
The short answer is yes, and we will explain. Insulation in the walls, floors, attic, and other areas of your home works as a barrier to direct air flow properly. For instance, you don’t want cold air infiltrating your home’s structure during winter months, and you want to keep cooled air inside your home during summer months. The right type and amount of insulation helps dramatically when it comes to comfort and energy savings.
That said, if your home is over insulated it creates a tight seal – in some cases, too tight. Homes need proper ventilation for good indoor air quality, and one that’s sealed too tight may have air quality issues. Additionally, over insulating a home could result in mold or other moisture issues, as inadequate ventilation could cause moisture to become trapped in the attic, walls, or other spaces. The moisture has nowhere to go if a home is sealed too tightly.
We rarely come across homes that are over insulated, so you probably don’t have any reason to be overly concerned. If you worry it might be a problem, have your insulation inspected by professionals.
What we DO come across frequently are homes that are under-insulated. This is likely the problem if you have energy bills that continue to rise even though you don’t use your HVAC system any more often than you normally do, or you notice hot or cold spots in various rooms in your home. Drafts and rodent/bug infestations are other signs your home may not have enough insulation.
90% of homes in the U.S. are not sufficiently insulated. That means 9 out of 10 homes could use more insulation for comfort, better indoor air quality, and reducing energy consumption. If you’re the lucky 1 in 10 with sufficient insulation, congratulations. If not, give our Austin insulation experts a call today.