Without home insulation, your Fayetteville home would be unbearably cold in the winter. However, that same insulation pulls double duty in the summer by creating a barrier to block heat from entering the home. Find out why proper levels of home insulation will help you stay cool all summer long.
How Insulation Works
Without insulation in your home’s structure, your home would become crushingly hot once the summer heat moves in. Wood structures can do nothing to stop the movement of heat through their materials. You would need to run your air conditioning nonstop to get even a little leg up on the heat.
Proper levels of insulation stops heat movement, and it works both ways. In winter, the barrier stops the heat your furnace generates from leaving the home. In summer, the insulation barrier prevents hot air from moving into the home and negating the cooling efforts of your air conditioner. In effect, investing in home insulation helps you to stay comfortable in all seasons while controlling utility costs. Without it, running your air conditioning just wouldn’t be possible due to high electricity consumption.
How to Know When You Have Enough Insulation
How do you know what type of insulation to add to your home? If it’s relatively new, builders should have installed enough insulation to meet federal guidelines. Insulation is given an R-value, with the R standing for resistance to heat. ENERGY STAR outlines recommended guidelines for adding insulation to the attic or floors based on location. The middle portion of Georgia is designated Zone 3, and it has the following recommendations for insulation R-values:
- In an uninsulated attic, install insulation between R30 and R60.
- For an attic with 3 to 4 inches of insulation, add insulation with an R-value of 25 to 38.
- For floors, add insulation with an R-value of 19 to 25.
If you’re adding insulation to any part of your home, consider working with a professional to determine the right kind of insulation to use for the space and the right efficiency. For example, some types of insulation offer higher efficiency in a thinner material, but they’re more expensive. On the other hand, some insulation costs less, but you generally have to use more of it to reach the right efficiency. Avoid confusion and installing insulation that doesn’t get the job done. Work with a trusted professional to reap the tangible benefits the project provides.
Benefits of Insulating Your Home
The benefits of installing insulation in your home include the following:
- It controls utility costs.
- It keeps the home’s temperature even.
- It prevents overuse of your A/C.
- It helps the A/C system last longer.
- It helps reduce condensation due to drastic temperature differences inside and outside the home.
Don’t give heat the upper hand. An insulation barrier keeps heat out so you can effectively manage cooling costs. We’re happy to help our neighbors with heating and cooling needs, indoor air quality services, plumbing, electrical and home performance. For more information, contact Reliable Heating & Air today and ask to speak with a home-comfort representative.
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