Believe it or not, insulation has not always been a standard feature in California houses. In fact, most houses built before 1970 do not have any exterior wall insulation, as it was not required by the building codes of the time.
As a result, millions of homes throughout California do not have insulation, which means many homes are extremely inefficient. Air is able to easily pass through the home to the outside of the house and vice versa, meaning houses have a harder time staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer. While today’s modern heating and cooling units make it easier to regulate temperature even with a lack of insulation in Sacramento, CA, those systems have to work very hard to keep an even temperature in homes without insulation. Therefore, one could save a significant amount of money on energy bills by adding insulation to their home.
Lack of temperature control isn’t the only problem posed by missing insulation. Such walls could be more susceptible to condensation forming inside of them, which means a greater likelihood of forming mildew and mold, which in turn leads to structural concerns. Additionally, condensation can severely damage wiring found within walls, causing electrical failures and potential shorts.
The biggest effects of a lack of insulation are seen in attics and ceilings. Approximately 40 to 50 percent of all temperature loss occurs through the ceilings, especially during winter.
Upgrade your home with insulation in Sacramento, CA
The standard course of action in recent years has been for homeowners to resolve these issues by installing central air or new, more energy-efficient windows. However, the primary problem is still a lack of insulation.
Fortunately, you can add insulation to homes that have already been built, and you don’t even have to rip your walls apart to accomplish it. One common strategy is called “retrofitting,” and involves blowing insulation in through exterior wall cavities. These holes are drilled into the exterior to allow pressurized insulation to be blasted in between the walls. The holes typically measure approximately an inch or an inch and a half wide.
This strategy can also be used in the interior of the home, but it is harder to accomplish because of cabinets, wall tiles and other items that are affixed to walls.
Once the insulation is put into the walls, the holes are plugged and patched with a surface that can then be primed and painted. When the job is complete, it is nearly impossible to tell the home has been retrofitted to install insulation.
Best of all, this method of installing insulation can be used with any insulation material, including fiberglass, cellulose and more.
While retrofitting your home to have insulation can be an imposing initial investment, it will save you a significant amount of money in the long run by making your home far more energy efficient. For more information about installing insulation in Sacramento, CA, contact our team today at 5 Star Performance Insulation, Inc. to schedule a consultation.