When considering the benefits of home insulation and air sealing, it is best to choose the proper insulation and sealant for your home. Some factors to consider are energy efficiency, cost, and soundproofing. You should not install the same type of insulation again. The right choice will also depend on your preferences and the conditions of your home. Read on to learn more about home insulation and air sealing. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time inside your house and you don’t want to waste money on ineffective solutions. Browse more here.
Energy efficiency
While the cost of designing and building a new home with a high level of insulation is relatively low, most existing homes are significantly under-insulated. While this can lead to higher utility bills, a well-insulated envelope can significantly reduce those costs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), homes with air sealing and adequate insulation can save up to 11% on total energy costs. The benefits are numerous, but the decision to invest in the process depends on the home’s budget and comfort level.
In most cases, a home with poor air sealing and insulation is not comfortable to live in. It can also waste energy and cause uncomfortable drafts. Heating and cooling a home accounts for nearly 50% of all energy consumption. While it might seem like a minor issue, air leaks can cost you a bundle each year. To keep your home at a comfortable temperature, air leaks can be minimized by adding insulation and caulking the gaps around windows and doors. You can also seek the help of a contractor who will find and seal the leaks.
Cost-effectiveness
Insulation and air sealing can help your home remain more comfortable no matter what the weather outside is like. In addition to insulating attic floors, it can also improve the R-values of walls and floors above unconditioned basements. Combined, these measures can help your home meet the requirements for insulation set forth in the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code. The estimated savings are higher in the northern hemisphere compared to southern areas, due to differences in geographic climate, regional construction styles, and fuel type characteristics.
Homeowners can choose to install air sealing and insulation on their own or hire a professional contractor. While hiring a professional to install the insulation will cost more, it will ensure that the house is properly insulated. Furthermore, they will use specialized diagnostic tools to identify air leaks in the house. Besides, contractors can use energy-saving equipment to determine the most efficient insulation installation and air sealing. However, hiring professionals is often the better option.
Soundproofing
One way to improve the acoustics of your home is by soundproofing your home. Soundproofing can cut up to 50 percent of noise inside your home. Not only does this reduce energy bills, but it also improves acoustics. By minimizing sound transfer, soundproofing your home is a cost-effective investment. It’s important to remember that HVAC systems, bathrooms exhausts, and dryer vents can all ruin any soundproofing efforts. To minimize noise transfer, you need to install insulation in these areas. Using viscoelastic damping will minimize noise transfer.
There are several types of insulation. Some types of insulation are more effective than others, depending on the level of noise you’re trying to reduce. Learn more about it here. Foam insulation, for example, will absorb sound. Blown-in fiberglass will be most effective, but spray foam is also an excellent option for noise-proofing. Foam insulation can be installed in walls, floors, and ceilings. Soundproofing your home will increase the overall quality of life in your home.
Can be done on your own
There are some things you can do on your own to improve the energy efficiency of your home. While air sealing and home insulation can be done by a professional, they are both important for regulating temperature. Air sealing and insulation are two different types of repairs and the latter is more effective for lowering energy bills. For example, replacing a window might be cheaper than replacing the entire window. In some cases, you can weatherstrip the window frames to reduce air leakage.
Before beginning any home insulation or air sealing project, it’s helpful to check the attic for leaks. The attic is a good place to begin because it’s much easier to work with than walls. Using rigid foam or loose-fill insulation, you can install it over the existing insulation. For blown-in insulation, you may need the services of a professional. It’s important to check if the insulation has become too dense.