Maintaining your home at the right temperature isn’t all about setting the thermostat just right. How well insulated your home is can make an impact too – insulation helps to trap heat in during the winter months, while keeping heat out during the summer. Insulation gaps could lead to cold or warm spots. Lack of insulation can also greatly impact your energy bills, requiring you to use more electricity to heat and cool your home.
Many people don’t have a clear idea as to how good or bad their home’s insulation is. By doing certain checks, you can determine whether you need to install extra insulation. Below are some tips on how to assess your home’s insulation quality.
Start by identifying noticeable drafts and temperature differences
You can often spot major problems just by walking through your home and feeling the temperature difference in each room. If a certain room is colder in the winter or hotter in the summer, and there’s no obvious reason for this, consider whether insulation quality is to blame. By running your hand over walls, you may even be able to identify cold spots. Drafts are also a sign that insulation needs to be improved – check for cold air coming in around windows or doors. If your attic is very drafty, there could even be multiple entry points that need sealing.
Use tools to spot hidden heat loss
You can also invest in various tools to identify heat loss in your home. FLIR-type cameras are one of the most effective gadgets – they use thermal imaging to reveal hot and cold spots in walls, ceilings and windows. A more rustic tool is to use incense sticks to check for drafts. Close all the windows and doors and follow the direction of the smoke. There are other tools you can buy, but you may find it’s cheaper to hire a professional who already has these tools to carry out a professional audit (such as a blower door test).
Look out for visibly damaged insulation
In areas like the attic and basement, you can often clearly see insulation and assess the quality of it. If you can clearly see joists or there are gaps around chimneys and vents, you may need more insulation. Blown-in insulation can meanwhile settle over time and lose its R-value (how well it resists heat flow) – if it looks flattened, it may need replacing. Be cautious in older homes when inspecting insulation and some properties may contain asbestos. If you find this material, consider hiring an asbestos removal company to safely get rid of it.
Know how much insulation you need
Insulation needs vary across the country. Colder regions require higher R-values – to determine the level of insulation recommended for your ZIP code, consider taking a look at the Department of Energy’s R-value map online, which can provide excellent advice on what types of insulation your home should have. Of course, talking to an insulation expert is also a good way to find out what amount of insulation is recommended in your area – hire a reputable company to carry out a survey of your home.
