Does insulation really make that much of a difference? Is it worth it to get new or enhanced insulation when your home is on the older side, or will you just be throwing money away? The truth is that it makes a huge difference in your indoor climate. How many degrees of a difference insulation can provide in Sacramento, CA depends on a few factors, including the home’s shape and size as well as what kind of insulation has been installed.
Heat transfer and insulation
Insulation works on a very simple principle: it prevents heat transfer into and out of your home. Heat naturally flows toward cooler temperatures until there’s no difference between areas, whether that’s coming into your home during the hot Sacramento summer weather, or leaving through the attic and roof during the winter. To prevent this, insulation blocks heat from moving through the material. The thicker and denser your insulation, the less the heat will be able to penetrate it and affect your indoor temperature.
Insulation is usually installed in walls, basements and attics to tackle areas where heat transfer is most likely to occur. Before you decide which type of insulation to try and where to install it, have an insulation contractor come and look at your home. They can help you determine which types and locations will provide the best results.
Your home is very likely already insulated, even if it’s older, but it’s important to keep in mind that insulation can shrink or otherwise be affected by time. If it’s been a few decades since you gave your insulation any thought, it might be time to call a contractor and have them assess your insulation situation. You’ll be surprised at the difference it makes.
How many degrees of a difference will insulation make?
How many degrees of difference insulation makes on its own depends on the type of home you have, what the weather is like and what kind of insulation you have. Depending on what you choose, you could see a five- to 20-degree temperature difference just based on the insulation alone.
The EPA’s research says that homeowners who have quality insulation in their homes can expect to see an average of 15 percent savings on their heating and cooling costs, and about a 25 percent reduction in total air infiltration. That adds up over time, saving you hundreds of dollars per year.
The important thing to remember is that insulation isn’t a magic bullet—you can’t install it and expect that your home will stay cool (or warm) without good ventilation and some help from your HVAC system. However, it will help your HVAC system work more effectively, which means it won’t run as long during extreme stretches of weather.
How much different will your indoor temperature be with better insulation in Sacramento, CA? If you’re ready to find out by having your insulation evaluated and updated, get in touch with 5 Star Performance Insulation, Inc. today. We work with both residential and commercial clients, and have won Super Service Awards from Angie’s List for over six years in a row. You can trust us to help with your insulation!