Is your home in need of re-insulation?
Ensuring energy efficiency and maintaining comfort inside your home are just some of the top benefits of blown-in insulation. However, homeowners often neglect the importance of insulation or forget about it after getting it installed the first time. Likewise, if you bought a home that was already insulated, the chances are you have not thought to check on it.
Unfortunately, many do not realize that homes are, often, poorly insulated or under insulated. If left unaddressed, you risk paying high energy bills and overworking your HVAC systems to maintain indoor temperatures. To avoid this problem, check out some of the top signs that your home needs new insulation.
High Temperature Fluctuations area Sign to Re-Insulate Your Home
One big sign of poor insulation is fluctuating temperatures in your home. If you notice the temperature varies significantly from one room to another, you likely do not have enough insulation at home. For example, in wintertime, you might find the upper floors to be much colder since heat rises and escapes through the attic.
Similarly, a lack of insulation can cause your home to be susceptible to temperature fluctuations based on external weather conditions. Sharp changes in the weather outdoors will likely be felt indoors, so having more insulation installed can minimize the fluctuations and maintain a relatively consistent temperature throughout your home.
Re-Insulate Your Home to Avoid Chilly Drafts
Chilly drafts are a common occurrence during winter, when cool air enters your home through doors and window frames. As a result, your room may feel cold even if everything is shut tight. Insulating your doorways and window frames will thus help prevent heat from escaping, effectively making your home feel less drafty.
Frozen Pipes and Ice Dams
You might not immediately associate frozen pipes with insulation, but they are a clear sign your exterior walls are poorly insulated. The risk is particularly high in areas that reach freezing temperatures, which can cause your pipes to freeze and burst. In the long run, insulation will be worth the investment since damaged pipes can cost you thousands of dollars to fix.
Similarly, the likelihood of ice dams forming is also much higher if your home is not well-insulated. When heat escapes through the roof, it melts the snow sitting on top of it. The resulting liquid then flows down and creates ice dams, which can loosen your shingles, damage your gutter, and cause water to leak into your home.
Unusually High Energy Bills
One of the main benefits of blown-in insulation is it allows you to reduce energy waste. Thus, if you notice that your home’s energy bills have been unusually high in the past few months, this may be a sign that your home needs more insulation. Lack of insulation will push your heating and cooling systems to work more intensively to regulate your home’s temperature, resulting in higher energy consumption.
Cold Interior Floors, Walls, and Ceilings
Try to do a quick touch test to see if your floors, walls, or ceiling are cold. In any case, the interior parts in your home should be dry and warm, so if they are cold to touch, this is a sure sign of poor insulation. The opposite should be true for your exterior. Since you want to keep heat inside and prevent it from escaping, the outside walls should be cold.
Leaking Attics – A Major Sign to Re-Insulate Your Home
Poor insulation makes it easier for water to enter your home, especially through the attic. Leaks are never a good thing since water damage can compromise the structural integrity of your home and promote the growth of bacteria and mold. Blown-in insulation can help address this since one of the most significant benefits of blown-in insulation is that it can fill the nooks and crannies that are often overlooked in your attic.
Have Your Home Insulation Checked Out Today?
Not sure if your house is well insulated? We can help inspect your home to see what areas need more insulation, including attic insulation. We also do Air Sealing and Insulation Removal to ensure your home is well-equipped for extreme temperatures. Contact us today at (727) 656-9785 or (727) 608-6389 to learn more about the benefits of blown-in insulation and get started with a free estimate in Tampa, Clearwater, and Hillsborough.