Ever wondered how to make sure your home stays cool in summer and warm in the winter? Apart from having a fully functional HVAC system?
The answer is wall insulation. Exterior wall insulation can help improve energy efficiency and noise reduction, keeping your home structurally sound and its residents happy. Read on to learn more about what wall insulation is, the best insulation for attics, and more.
What Is Wall Insulation?
Wall insulation is any material that helps keep the interior of a place climate-controlled. For example, wall insulation helps keep your home cool during the summer and warm during the winter. It improves energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling costs.
How Insulation Works
Most insulation works by slowing the conduction of heat flow. Some insulation, like the reflective kind, works by reducing any heat gain. No matter the kind of insulation in your home or business, insulation effectively helps decrease heat flow by keeping heat out during the summer and keeping heat in during the winter.
Best Insulation for Walls
The best kinds of insulation for your walls depend on your preference of material, cost, energy efficiency, and installation complexity.
Here are common kinds of wall insulation and their benefits:
Foam
Foam is a very popular kind of insulation for residential properties. It can be applied in either liquor or soft foam form. The way it works is after installation, it will stiffen and expand, creating a barrier. Foam insulation can be costly since it requires professional installation.
Prodex HYBRID
Prodex HYBRID is a special kind of insulation. It is an acoustic insulation, which means it will help improve emergency efficiency and also contribute to noise reduction. Prodex HYBRID doesn’t always require professional installation, which means you can install it yourself and save on labor costs.
Fiberglass Batts
Fiberglass batts look like fluffy blankets. Often shaped in pads or rolls, they are placed in between wall studs to insulate a home. There are also wool and cotton batts available for insulation. Fiberglass batts are a great option for their affordability and effectiveness.
Panels
Panels can be made of foam or polystyrene. They go inside walls and are often used in cooler climates because panels can be susceptible to high temperatures.
Dry Bits
Although not as common, dry bit insulation can be made of cellulose, fiberglass, or mineral wool. Dry bit installation is complex; it requires a blowing technique that properly disperses the dry bits throughout wherever they are placed. After installation, you’ll need to patch any holes created during the process. Because of this, dry bit installation is expensive and not always the way to go.
Prodex Total
Another Prodex insulation, Prodex Total, offers an air warrior, vapor barrier, and radiant barrier all in one. It also has stronger tearing resistance, which helps boost its longevity. It is commonly used for attic wall insulation.
What to Avoid When Placing Wall Insulation
Considering installing insulation yourself? Here are some tricks to ensure you get the most out of your insulation:
- Don’t go overboard. Make sure not to stuff your walls full of insulation, or else it won’t work as efficiently as it should.
- Be wary of the pipes and cables. Don’t stuff insulation behind any pipes or cables because that will cause the insulation to compass, which then leads to a loss of efficiency.
- Avoid water heaters or other hot appliances. Some kinds of insulation are not as fire-resistant as others. Always avoid putting insulation next to appliances that conduct a lot of heat, to avoid a fire risk.
- Avoid fiberglass insulation in basements. Fiberglass is great at managing heat flow, but not so good when it comes to moisture. If you are using fiberglass insulation, avoid putting it in your basement, because that is a spot that is often prone to moisture and mold; fiberglass can exacerbate this.
- Make sure there are no gaps. Gaps may cause loss of heat or cool air. If you notice any gaps, use spray foam or seal with caulk.
- Don’t cover up ventilation. Covering any ventilation openings with fiberglass hinders airflow, which could wreak havoc on your home and HVAC system.
Is Wall Insulation Worth It?
Wall insulation is always worth it because it will help boost your home’s energy efficiency, keeping you and your family comfortable and potentially lowering any energy bills. Insulation also reduces noise transfer and aids in moisture control. If you have a house, wall insulation is paramount—in some cases, it’s even required.
Will Adding Wall Insulation Save Me Money?
Wall insulation could help save you money on your energy bills. For example, when it’s hot in the summer and you have the AC on, wall insulation could help keep that cold air trapped in your home, which means your AC doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house cool. On the other hand, if you don’t have insulation, your house heats up faster, and your AC will run for longer. This could contribute to higher energy bills. So, although wall insulation is an investment, it could save you money in the long run.
Contact Airco Service Today
Have you decided you want insulation installed, but you’re not sure who to go for to help you install it? Choose Airco Service.
Our team is professional and highly experienced in offering insulation services, such as attic insulation, to help keep your home comfortable year-round. We even offer free insulation estimates so you can know what to expect should you choose to go with us for insulation installation.
We also offer other ways for you to improve your home’s energy efficiency, like HVAC checks and HVAC maintenance. No matter what kind of service you need, trust us to get the job done efficiently. Simply fill out our convenient online contact form to get started.
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