Insulation is one of the best ways to make your home more energy-efficient. With rising energy prices across the nation, now is a great time to think about saving money with insulation. Keeping cool and warm air where it should be can drastically lower your home’s reliance on air conditioners. As one of the most energy-hungry items in the home, we certainly want to limit their use.
If your home is poorly insulated, the fact is you’re wasting money. Constantly blasting air conditioning units to keep up with escaping air is a drain on your finances. Here’s how to cut those power bills and keep your home comfortable.
External Wall Insulation
Installing insulation in your external walls has additional benefits. Firstly, it helps to keep the air inside your home. This is certainly what you want if you’re trying to keep energy costs down. In addition, external wall insulation also acts as a sound barrier. Nobody likes sitting in their living room hearing everything happening in the neighborhood. Fortunately, wall insulation also provides protection from outside sound.
Most homes are built with insulation in the external walls. If not though, this should be the first type of insulation you consider. You can use any kind of insulation, from batts and extruded polystyrene boards to blow-in insulation. Often, blow-in insulation is a cost-effective solution because you don’t need to remove plasterboard to install it.
Internal Wall Insulation
Many people forget about insulating internal walls, but it can also save you money. In winter, you may like to only heat the rooms you use. Insulation helps trap the warm air where you want it. Even better, if you choose an insulation product with good acoustic performance, you can block off general household noise.
Ceiling Insulation
Because air tends to rise in the home, the ceiling is a main culprit when it comes to escaping air. By insulating our roof cavity, you can avoid this. The best thing is, it’s an easier part of the home to access. This means you can usually install the insulation yourself, quickly and easily.
Be sure to insulate around chimneys and vents for best effect, and keep your home super comfortable and energy efficient with ceiling insulation.
Tips for Choosing the Right Insulation
Here’s some handy hints for choosing the perfect insulation for your home.
R-Value: This is a value given to all types of insulation and refers to the ability to resist heat loss. The recommended value is different for walls, floors and ceilings. Therefore, you should ask your provider for insulation that suits your purpose.
Thermal and acoustic performance: Only choose highly rated products. Even if it costs a little more, the investment is worth it.
Fire resistant: Always choose fire resistant products. Many older styles of insulation can be a fire hazard, so ensure yours won’t cause more problems in the event of a fire.
Eco-Friendly: If you want to do your bit for the planet, look for eco-friendly options that are free of formaldehyde and artificial dyes.
Hopefully this has helped you make the smartest choices when it comes to insulating your home. Great insulation will benefit you and your family for as long as you’re in your home, so save on energy and get insulating today!