People installing insulation in their home often find the whole process quite overwhelming and are unsure whether they should take the decision to move forward with insulating their homes. This is mainly because of the many myths circulating around home insulation. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Getting your home insulated can allow you to benefit from added comfort and significant savings in energy costs. That is why it is essential to have the right information so that you are confident about your home insulation decision.
Insulation Myths
Here we have debunked several common home insulation myths to help you get some clarity on this important subject.
Myth #1: Insulation is only for colder months
Most homeowners think that insulation is only for protecting their home from cold weather. Due to this, they don’t pay attention to the condition of their home insulation in the summer months, because they rely on their HVAC system to maintain a cool temperature. However, this is far from the truth. Insulation prevents heat transfer between the indoor and outdoor environment, which works the same way in the summer as it does in the winter. Insulation keeps heat generated by the HVAC system from leaking outside, it prevents the hot air from entering your home.
Myth #2: Insulation also stops air leakage
No matter the type of insulation material used, newly constructed houses generally have air barriers installed to prevent air leakage. This is done because insulation materials are designed for stopping heat transfer, not air infiltration inside the home. Only dense packed cellulose and spray foam provide air sealing as well as insulation qualities. Usually, air leaks occur through holes and cracks in doors, windows, and wall penetrations from wiring and pipes. It is essential that you seal air leaks in your home with the help of weatherstripping and caulk before you install insulation. In the attic and the basement, it is important to seal holes around the chimney, wall plates, and other open penetrations into the building envelope.
Myth #3: R-value is the only important factor
R-value is used for rating insulation products and how much they are resistant heat transfer. It is a general perception that they only have to choose the material that has high R-value to effectively insulate their home. However, R-value is just one part of the equation and there are several other aspects that affect the selection of the right insulation material for a home. This includes insulation method, the applicability of a material in your home, and several other aspects. For this reason, we recommend having an experienced insulation company help you choose the right insulation material and install insulation in your home to ensure the best possible results.
If you like to get more information about insulation materials or want a professional to install insulation in your home, get in touch with NEEECO. In addition to our expert advice, we can inform you about no-cost air sealing and discounted insulation through the Mass Save® program. Through your heating bills with National Grid and Eversource, you have already paid into the Mass Save® program. Now is your chance to get some of your money back and increase your savings through reduce utility bills.
Call (781) 514-5882 or contact us to get started with a no-cost Mass Save® home energy assessment.