12 Signs Your Home Needs New Insulation
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Indoor temperature regulation is heavily influenced by insulation, and when the latter is no longer performing, you’ll pay for it, literally and figuratively. Most homeowners don’t know they need to refresh their insulation until it is too late, and their energy bills are spiking.
If you can recognize the following signs in your home, then your home might be due for an insulation upgrade.
Energy Bills Are Skyrocketing
If you’ve been holding onto your wallet every time the energy bill arrives, it may be because your home is working overtime to stay warm or cool. The winter heat escapes and the summer heat creeps in, because there is not enough insulation, and your HVAC system has to run longer and harder than it should. If insulation begins to deteriorate, your home’s ability to keep a consistent temperature goes out the window, so does your money.
Noticeably Different Temperatures in Rooms
Have you noticed that some rooms in your house are freezers while others are saunas? That could be a telltale sign that your insulation isn’t spread evenly or has deteriorated in some spots. Insulation isn’t just for keeping your house warm, it also helps keep your house cool, so when it’s missing or compromised, you end up with temperature variations from room to room, making it hard to find a comfortable spot in the house.
Cold Air From Everywhere
While you might not think a little draft is a big deal, if you continually feel cold air coming through doors, windows, or even the wall, it’s a problem. If you see these drafts, it means your insulation isn’t sealing your home properly and outside air is sneaking in and messing up your indoor climate.
Pest Problems Are on the Rise
Poorly insulated spaces make great homes for critters. If you’ve noticed you have more pests than usual, perhaps in your attic or crawl space, it could be because there are gaps in your insulation. If pests can get in once, they’ll not only ruin your insulation, but they’ll make holes that allow outdoor air to flow even more freely inside.
Your Roof Has Ice Dams Forming
Have you ever seen huge icicles hanging from your roof in the winter? That’s a dead giveaway that your home is poorly insulated. According to DECRA Metal Roofing, these ice dams happen when heat leaks out of your roof and melts the snow. It drips down to colder areas, and then it refreezes, creating ice buildup along your gutters.
You Can’t Keep Your Hands Off Your Sweater Indoors
Do you find yourself constantly layering up or wrapped in blankets inside of your home? There’s nothing wrong with cozying up every now and then, but if you have to do that often, then you have a bigger problem with your home’s insulation. Your insulation isn’t doing its job of keeping heat and if the indoor temperature drops too quickly, you might be losing out on efficiency.
Flat or Thin Attic Insulation
Your attic insulation should be fluffy and thick, not flat and smashed. In time, insulation can settle or compact, making it less effective. If you look in your attic and the insulation seems more like a thin blanket than a thick, puffy layer, it’s time to think about adding some more or replacing it altogether.
Your Home Feels Unusually Damp or Musty
Good insulation doesn’t just keep the heat inside your house; it also helps with moisture control in your home. If your house feels damp or you notice a musty smell, it may be because the insulation has been damaged by water or isn’t acting as a moisture barrier for your home. If left unchecked, you can end up with mold or mildew.
You Hear Everything Outside
One of insulation’s side perks is soundproofing. If you find yourself hearing every car that goes by, or the conversations of your neighbors, your insulation may be wearing thin. A home that’s well insulated cuts out outside noise, so when you start hearing sounds, it’s a sign your insulation isn’t doing its job.
Walls Feel Cold to the Touch
Touch your walls. If they’re cold, even with the heat on, it’s a sign your insulation isn’t keeping the heat in. If your walls are cold, it may be an indication that the insulation in your home needs a refresh—it should keep a consistent temperature in the walls, keeping the cold out and the warmth in.
Frequent Allergies or Respiratory Issues
According to Bartleby.com, poor insulation may be the cause if you or your family members are fighting allergies more than usual. Outdoor pollutants, allergens, and dust can get into your home if your old or damaged insulation lets them through. In addition to affecting air quality, this can lead to rise in respiratory problems. New insulation acts as a barrier against these airborne intruders.
HVAC System Runs Constantly
Your heating and cooling system shouldn’t be on a full time job. If it is, your insulation might have something to do with it. In other words, your HVAC system is running more often throughout the day to restore the temperature. If you can’t get your house to be the temperature you want it, even when your system is running all the time, it could be time to re-insulate.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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