Insulation Tips

Insulation Options to Consider for New Homes

Building a new home is an exciting journey with lots of decisions along the way. From choosing the location of the build to the final finishes on the interior, new homeowners have a long list of decisions to make before a new home is complete. One of the most important choices is what type of insulation is installed in your new home. If you’re struggling to choose a type of insulation for your new home, check out this breakdown of the different options.

Why is Insulation Important?

Insulation is something that can’t be skipped during the home-building process. Insulation serves multiple purposes including:

Interior temperature control
Minimizing outside noise heard inside the home
Prevention of drafts & cold floors
Prevents frozen pipes

Cellulose

Cellulose is one of the oldest types of insulation on the market. It’s most commonly used in the attic and wall cavities. Cellulose is made of newspaper or denim, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at it! Cellulose insulation can be installed either wet or dry. Dry cellulose has a tendency to settle and shift, while wet cellulose will stay where it’s applied and form a better seal.

The biggest benefit of cellulose is that it’s affordable and easy to install.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass insulation is the cheapest type of insulation on the market. This insulation is made up of tiny fibers of glass, hence the name fiberglass. Fiberglass is the go-to insulation choice for homeowners looking for a quick and easy fix. The insulation comes in rolls or sprays that’s applied in the attic and wall cavities. Unfortunately, this cheap option is also the least effective insulation option.

Fiberglass insulation is not recommended for new home builds. If you’re starting with a brand-new home, why would you install the least effective type of insulation? Fiberglass insulation will settle over time and makes a great nesting material for unwanted pests.

Spray Foam

Spray foam insulation is the preferred insulation choice among contractors. This insulation is applied as a spray, but can expand up to 100 times once it’s been installed! That means your insulation will expand into every nook and cranny in the attic, walls, and floor joists. Spray foam insulation does cost more than cellulose or fiberglass insulation, but it’s by far the most effective option on the market.

Homeowners who choose spray foam insulation can expect to save big on their heating and cooling costs each month. Since the insulation doesn’t settle over time, you won’t have to worry about having unprotected areas in the home. Instead, spray foam moves with your home as it shifts and settles onto the foundation.

Contact Cape Cod Energy Solutions today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your insulation options!

Benefits of Insulating your Attic

The attic is familiar for being an additional storage space. However, its functionality goes beyond accommodating stuff. The attic has the purpose of preventing extreme outdoor temperatures from conquering the inside of your home. Your attic performs the same function as your home’s heating system. Insulating the attic increases your home’s protection from harsh weather conditions.

Here are the reasons you need attic insulation:

Indoor Air Flow Improvement

Air leaks give room to pollutants, which affect the air quality in your home. The effect of this is the buildup of dirt and mold in the attic. Once the indoor air quality has been compromised, you may start feeling discomfort. An insulated attic prevents contaminants from penetrating, which helps maintain the breathing of quality air. Sealing your attic guarantees a clean and safe space without contaminated air.

Yearly Energy Cost Reduction

A sealed attic increases a home’s energy efficiency, which reduces the amount you spend on energy bills. Many homeowners focus on crawl space and floors, neglecting the impact of attics on regulating temperature during winter and summer. You can be saving as much as 15 percent yearly when you block areas that allow air and heat to escape. It’s a close substitute for your HVAC system.

Improved Indoor Comfortability

Every home can be susceptible to temperature changes, especially when insulation doesn’t exist. Their efficiencies are questionable even when you insulate other areas but neglect the attic. It’s not that they are not effective, but because air is escaping from your attic. Insulating the upper floor of your home brings comfort at any period of the day, especially when the temperature is very low.

Reduced Pressure on HVAC System

You can prevent excessive use of your heating system with attic insulation. The ductwork of most HVAC systems runs through the attic. When it is under-insulated, it may undermine the efficiency of the HVAC unit. For this reason, the components may wear out quickly. That is preventable with an insulated attic that decreases the dependence on heating systems.

Protects the Environment

Insulating your attic implies that your energy requirement reduces drastically. When this happens, no power plant will be producing much energy. Air and noise pollution is also reduced, keeping the environment safe for everyone. Energy consumption reduction has a significant impact on the local ecosystems and the county.

Insulate Your Attic This Winter

The usefulness of insulated attics is not limited to the home; it extends to society. That makes it a viable option for everyone. Cape Cod Energy Solutions specializes in commercial and residential insulation if you need to insulate your attic or want an upgrade.

When to Replace Your Home Insulation

One of the best investments a homeowner can make is getting great insulation. It maintains the interior temperature of your home, but it’ll cut down on electricity costs since you don’t have to run the heater or air conditioning constantly. However, insulation doesn’t last forever. Eventually, it will need to be replaced if you want to continue to benefit from it. If you’re not sure how old your insulation is or if it might need fixing, here are a few tips for when to replace your home insulation.

Bad News for Insulation

We’ll talk about how to recognize when your insulation needs replacing in a moment, but first, let’s discuss a few factors that can lower the lifespan of your insulation. If any of these have occurred, you’ll likely need to replace the insulation much sooner than you might typically expect. Here are a few things to watch out for:

Roof Damage

If you have any damage to the roof, like missing or broken shingles or leaks, the water has likely compromised your attic insulation. Time to inspect!

Mold

Mold can grow pretty much anywhere – including insulation. If you find mold on your insulation anywhere in the house, you should replace it soon. Not only will the insulation not do its job as well, but the mold could spread to other areas of the house.

Dirt and Dust

A buildup of dirt, dust, pet hair, or anything else can reduce the efficiency of even the best insulation.

Fire

If your home has had a fire, the insulation could be damaged, even if the house is still liveable. Replacing the insulation after a fire will ensure safety and comfort.

Old Home

If you live in an older home, it’s a good idea to check out the state of the insulation. Over time, certain types of loose-fill insulation could lose their effectiveness, so make sure your home is up-to-date.

When to Replace Insulation

There are several signs that your home insulation needs replacing, even if it doesn’t have any of the issues listed above.

Interior temperature fluctuations often, despite keeping the thermostat the same.
There are drafts throughout the house.
It’s difficult to keep the house at your ideal temperature.
Your electricity bill keeps rising, despite keeping your usage the same.
The insulation looks like it’s bad shape: drooping, breaking, thinning, or dampness might be present.
You find leaks and condensation constantly around the house.
The presence of pests could indicate faulty insulation that allows cold air in mice, squirrels, insects, and more.
Allergies may increase in the household if the insulation is dirty, dusty, or growing mold and bacteria.

If you think it’s time to replace your home insulation, the experts at Cape Cod Energy Solutions are here to help. With years of professional experience, they’ll be able to get your house properly insulated so you can enjoy lower energy costs and more comfortable home.