If you’ve already started your fall home maintenance, insulation is an important step you must not miss. It’s essential to keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. And since each home is as unique as its owner, you need to understand the costs and benefits of home insulation.

There are certain questions you’re going to need answers to. And now is the perfect time to ask them!

1. What Are The Benefits Of Insulation?

You know that insulation keeps the temperature in your home comfortable, but the benefits don’t stop there. It also prevents your HVAC unit from overworking, saving you tons on energy bills. It blocks outdoor sounds and allows you to control the temperature of your home more easily. Also, abrupt changes in weather won’t have an immediate effect on your home if it’s properly insulated.

2. Where Do I Need Home Insulation?

The most common answer to this question is the attic. Your home loses the majority of its heat through the roof, so attic insulation is your best starting point. Insulation should be installed in the attic floor. Or, if you’re using your attic as another living space in your home, position your insulation in the rafters. While not as important as the attic, your floors, crawl spaces and walls should be insulated, too.

3. What’s An R-Value?

The effectiveness of home insulation is measured by its R-value. This value tells you how long the insulation is able to resist heat for. For example, if a particular type of insulation has a value of R-3, it can resist heat for three hours. So, what does the R-value mean for your home? The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that attics in Pennsylvania have R-values of up to R-60. This means that if you buy a roll of blanket insulation with a value of R-15 per inch of thickness, you’ll need to layer it four times.

4. What Are The Home Insulation Types?

There are four common home insulation types to consider:

• Blanket insulation comes in rolls and batts, and it is usually made from fiberglass. It is applicable to unfinished walls, beneath floors and in ceilings. Blankets keep your home insulation cost down.
• Loose-fill is blown into spaces using special equipment. It’s usually made of loose fiberglass fibers or fiber pellets.
• Rigid foam insulation is highly effective foam with an R-value of up to R-6.5. That’s about twice as high as other forms, but you’ll pay more for it.
• Foam-in-place is blown into walls, like loose fill and rigid foam, but it can be purchased in a can and sprayed yourself, making it another DIY insulation option.

These home insulation tips are your first step toward a more energy-efficient home. Don’t stop there! Find out more great tips by liking MoreVent on Facebook.
 
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