Insulation Can Save You Money

INSULATION CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

Yes, having a good home insulation can save you money. While most people do not pay attention on how many times they turn on the electric fan or their air cooling/heating system, little is observed on how much a good home installation can save money in the long run.

But what is home insulation and why it is needed?

Depending on the type of material, insulation aids your home in maintaining temperature by slowing down the transfer of heat or coldness as well as sound from one area to another. It is usually installed on walls, windows, roofing, crawlspaces, basement walls and other areas. Think of it as a blanket or an inner layer that protects your home in between walls. Insulations are best installed during the construction phase of a house as the walls and ceilings are not yet sealed. If a home is well insulated, money is saved by cutting energy/ electricity bills (up to 50% in the long run!).

So what type of materials should you use?

Insulators are measured by R-value or thermal resistance of the material. The higher the R-value the higher the insulating effectiveness (Wikipedia). Take note though, the right R-value for your home will depend on various factors such as your region and climate situations. Insulators can be made up of Fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose, spray foam.

Fiberglass, usually the cheapest are mostly used for insulating attic/ roofing areas. Mineral wool on the other hand, is usually expensive and the material is hard to find. It is also usually used for soundproofing because of its rigidity. According to RetroFoam, cellulose installation is the oldest form of home insulation as it is made up of recycled newsprint. It is mostly used at enclosed existing walls, open new walls, and unfinished attic floors. Spray foam is a polyurethane product which is lightweight, durable and versatile insulation solution. However, depending on the application, some homeowners experienced difficulty in breathing during the installation works. Thus, it is recommended to hire a contractor who will handle the job.

Why you should get a contractor?

While there are plenty of DIY instructions over the internet, it is a good investment to hire a contractor instead. Aside from the obvious fact that you will be unburdened of the tedious task, you’ll get professional service who will handle cost and estimation of how much insulation material is needed for your home. Plus, contractors know too well which hidden areas needs to be insulated that you might simply overlook if you will do it yourself. Not only do they play an important role on identifying which type of material should be used in every area, they can also advise which areas might trigger fire if insulation are incorrectly placed (especially in areas such as kitchen & chimneys).

So if you are currently constructing your home or will renovate soon, consider insulating your home with the right material. And be sure to hire a good contractor!

SOURCES:

https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-save-money-with-insulation