Is Your Home Under-Insulated?

Many homes in the United States don’t have enough insulation in their walls, ceilings and attic—but why? Over time, insulation materials can shift, shrink, be damaged by water or pests. In other cases, the home builder may have failed to add sufficient insulation during construction. Poor insulation is also a huge issue seen in many mass housing builds, where some builders install the bare minimum amount of insulation required by the applicable code. In almost all cases, homes need more insulation than the minimum amount required.

Here are some signs of an under-insulated home that your insulation contractors in North Dakota want you to be aware of.

Higher energy bills

These days it’s pretty easy to look back at your previous energy bills. Simply get online, sign in to your gas or electric company account and view previous bills. This comes in handy if you suspect that your most recent heating and cooling bills seem higher than normal. If you notice a significant increase over the past few years, but your household size is the same, the problem could be with your insulation. Low quality or insufficient wall and attic insulation, blown-in insulation that has settled over time and even a poor initial installation could make your insulation less effective.

When insulation material is not as effective as it should be, the elements can seep in and treated indoor air can escape. So, while you might not notice a gradual increase in heater or air conditioner usage, you will notice high energy bills.

Cold or warm drafts

Depending on the time of year and the state of your insulation, you might find some rooms in your house are way warmer or colder than others, regardless of whether you’ve taken care to open vents or adjust the thermostat. Check that drafty rooms are well ventilated. If they are, the problem is likely poor insulation, and hot or cool air can escape nearly any space that doesn’t have insulation to act as a barrier. Be sure that all areas of your home are properly insulated to avoid air drafts.

Fluctuating indoor temperatures

The point of using your HVAC system is to create a comfortable indoor living environment for you and your family. Wall insulation plays a huge role in your comfort level. If you have good insulation materials, then the temperatures throughout your house should be relatively consistent. On the other hand, you may find that different rooms in your house have noticeably different temperatures. In winter, for example, it may be toasty warm in the living room, while a bedroom in the back of the house is freezing. In this case, you’re likely dealing with an under-insulated home.

Cold walls, ceilings and floors

One way to discover if your home is under-insulated is to perform a simple touch test. When you touch an interior wall, floor or ceiling, it should feel warm and dry to the touch. If any drywall or paneling inside the home feels cold or damp, that’s a sure sign there’s not enough insulation.

For more information about residential insulation, feel free to contact the knowledgeable insulation contractors in North Dakota at Interstate Insulation!

Categorised in: Insulation Contractor

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