Thermal energy loss can be a serious issue that causes you to have higher energy bills. The old insulation in your home may be outdated and need to be upgraded. Choosing the right insulation improvements is important if you want to maximize the benefits. The following insulation upgrades will help you improve your home's thermal barrier to reduce energy costs.
Your Roof
The roof is an area where you want to look for energy loss issues. There are several issues with the attic insulation and ventilation that can cause energy loss. The insulation in the attic should provide a thermal barrier that separates your home from the roof structure. In addition to good attic insulation, your roof also needs to have good ventilation to allow hot air to escape. Ventilation prevents heat gain in summer and problems with ice on your roof in winter.
Your Walls
The exterior walls in homes are normally insulated. In some homes, there may be some unfinished spaces that haven't been insulated yet. These areas include garages, basements, and bonus rooms. You can have these areas insulated to help reduce energy loss. You may also want to insulate some of the main interior walls. This can be good if you have a zoned HVAC system. Walls that separate the different zones can be insulated for a more efficient energy design.
Your Floors
The floors of your home may be another area where you want to add insulation. The floors can be insulated to reduce thermal transfer and to provide a noise barrier. In addition to the floor systems, foundations can also be insulated to improve efficiency. The joists of basement and crawl space foundations can be insulated to stop the air leaks in your home. If you have a crawl space, it can also be encapsulated. On concrete slabs, insulated padding can be installed beneath flooring materials.
Your Windows and Doors
There are also a lot of openings in your home that may need insulation. First, you want to make sure all casings have been insulated. You may also want to check exterior doors to ensure they are insulated. The biggest opening where you may have problems with energy loss is the garage door. Ask your insulation contractor about installing an insulated backing on your garage door.
The upgrades to your home's insulation can be a great way to reduce energy costs without spending too much. Contact an insulation service for help with an energy audit and deciding where your home needs improvements the most.