Insulation is an important part of your HVAC system, but many homeowners may overlook how important it actually is for having an efficient system. Throughout the year, insulation acts as a barrier between the air inside your home and the outside air. Proper insulation helps maintain consistent temperatures in your home. So if you are noticing different temperatures in your living space, you may need to replace your insulation.
Some older homes may not have insulation in the walls or in the attic. If this is the case, installing new insulation with the right R-value for your area might be your next step. Resistance value, or R-value, is a measure of how well insulation prevents heat flow into and out of your home. Typically, higher R-values are preferred for your insulation. R-value depends on where you live, and in Crandall, TX, you should have an R-value in your home between R-30 and R-60. Let’s explore what insulation does for your home with proper installation.
1. Prevents Air Leakages and Heat Loss
There might be holes in the insulation or simply no insulation at all in your attic. If so, there is a chance that air leaks through small cracks and gaps in your home. As this air enters your living space, your HVAC system needs to work harder to keep your living space at the temperature you prefer. Heat loss happens because heat rises. If the roof is not insulated, the air can go right through the walls and roof. When you have a thermal barrier in your home, it is easier to maintain consistent temperatures in each room.
In the summer, the heat from the sun can also radiate through the roof and create an uncomfortable warm temperature. Insulation in your attic will block the sun’s heat, allowing you to effectively cool your home without straining your cooling system.
2. Increases Comfort Levels
When the insulation is good in your living space, you are not going to notice hot and cold spots in your home. With the proper R-value, we can easily eliminate different temperatures in your home. The only reason that temperatures should differ from room to room is because the thermostat was set to a different temperature preference. Maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home should be your number one priority. If you need assistance figuring out why the temperature in your home fluctuates, give us a call at Accurate Home Services.
3. Provides Better Indoor Air Quality
When the insulation in your home is not up to par, it doesn’t prevent allergens like pollen and dust from entering your living space. It does this by sealing up small cracks where airborne particles can enter your home. Having old insulation in your home can also be a negative situation. This is because the particles of the old insulation can get loose and be released into the air. These particles may contain mold and other irritants, which could be hazardous to your health. Updating insulation can ensure that these particles aren’t in the air that you breathe.
4. Reduces Energy Waste
When you use your heating and cooling system, you tend to use a good bit of energy to efficiently warm or cool your home. When insulation is properly installed in your home, there is less chance that energy waste will occur. The air coming from the air vents in your home is the same air that the heater or air conditioner releases into your living space. Nothing goes to waste, which means that the heating and cooling units don’t need to work harder to compensate.
5. Saves Money on Energy Bills
When it requires less energy to heat and cool your living space, you’ll notice that the energy bill is not as expensive as it was without insulation. Insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature, which means the heater and air conditioner don’t need to cycle frequently. This means that your system will use less energy to initiate the heating and cooling cycles of the units, saving you money on your monthly energy bills.
In general, you will notice that you save about 15% per month when you insulate your home. If you add that amount up over a year, you’ll save quite a bit, which will help offset the cost of installing new insulation.
6. Extends the Lifespan of Your HVAC System
Having insulation in your home to prevent air leaks from making the temperature less comfortable is a good way to make your heating and cooling unit more effective. With efficiency comes less maintenance. Since the unit will require less maintenance, the parts are bound to last a little longer.
When the unit works less to complete the same job, it will have fewer breakdowns and will typically have an extended lifespan before it needs a replacement. With proper insulation and maintenance, you’ll find that an HVAC system lasts about five years longer, which means you can use the same heating and cooling system for a period of approximately 20 years.
7. Reduces Maintenance Requirements for the HVAC System
The wear and tear of an HVAC system is natural, but when you install insulation in your attic, walls, floors, and ductwork, there’s less chance that your system will need to overwork. Since the system isn’t straining, you won’t have excessive maintenance requirements. It also reduces the need for repairs over time, so there are fewer replacements to consider when there’s less stress on the heating and cooling system.
8. Makes You Eligible for Tax Credits
The government provides incentives and tax credits to homeowners who upgrade their homes with energy-efficient heating and cooling units. This tax credit includes upgrades like installing insulation in your home. In some areas, there are even local incentives for energy-efficient upgrades to your home, so make sure that you check and see what is available in Crandall.
You can get a rebate of up to 30% when you install new insulation. This helps balance the cost of getting the upgrade, but there is an annual limit to the amount you can get back, which is $1,200. To get this tax credit, you also need to ensure that the R-value of the insulation is the recommended amount for your area. Typically, the higher the R-value is, the more efficient the insulation will be.
Contact Accurate Home Services for a Consultation
If you notice hot and cold spots in your home or a specific area of your home feels extra drafty, then it may be that your insulation needs an update. There are multiple materials that can block air drafts and keep your home a more comfortable living environment. For help deciding what is the best option for your home, call Accurate Home Services today. We have been providing Crandall with heating and cooling needs for nearly 30 years. We can also improve your indoor air quality, install smart thermostats, and provide any electrical services that you require.
At Accurate Home Services, we are a top HVAC company in Crandall. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to make sure your insulation is keeping the air inside comfortable for you and your family.
