Signs of Poor Insulation

September 21, 2020

Have your energy bills gone dramatically up as the weather gets hotter—or colder? That’s a big sign that your home isn’t insulated properly, which forces your HVAC system to work overtime. If your parents ever told you to close the fridge because they weren’t planning on air conditioning the entire neighborhood, you know the general idea.

Insulation is the best way to prevent heat transfer—the scientific phenomenon where hot air and cold air will meet and eventually even out. Don’t let heat transfer keep you from staying cool in the long, hot Northern California summers or the chilly winters.

Keeping your insulation up to date is the best way to save on your energy bills. Here’s how to tell if your home needs an upgrade and how to fix poor housing insulation in Northern California:

  • Touch your walls: When the weather starts dipping into the lower temperatures, go around your home and touch the walls. If they are much colder than the room temperature, or if they feel moist, you might have a problem. As the warm air in your home makes contact with the cold wall, the air will get cooler. This makes your heater work overtime. The best way to handle this is to have good insulation.
  • Look for holes: Is air leaking out of holes in your exterior wall? We all know it’s frustrating when one of the kids bashes a hole in the siding with their bike, but it also hurts your energy bills. Cold or warm air is leaking out into the outdoors—so you really are air conditioning the entire neighborhood.
  • Check for signs of bugs or mice: Pests can be a real problem, so if you’ve had a bug or rodent problem in the last few years, it’s worth getting your insulation checked out. They can eat or chew through all of your carefully-placed insulation.
  • Look for moisture: If you notice moisture and condensation around your pipes, chances are, they need to be insulated. Talk to an insulation contractor about your concerns.
  • Feel the drafts: When you walk around your home, take note if you feel any drafts coming from a certain area. It might be that the warm air is escaping and the cold air is coming in to help fill that gap—either way, it means an insulation problem.
  • Check for mold: If you’ve got mold, there’s a big likelihood it’s due to an insulation problem. If certain types of insulation are exposed to moisture, they are likely to develop mold.
  • Think about your insulation’s age: Finally, if your insulation was last updated sometime before you moved in 15 years ago, it’s time to give it an upgrade. This is a job for insulation professionals, rather than a DIY project, but you’ll be amazed at the difference once it’s installed.

If you’re seeing any of the signs of poor insulation in Northern California, make sure to call Ace Insulation Inc. We install a range of insulation types, including spray foam insulation. We’ll work with you to identify where your home is leaking energy and what can be done to help. Call today to get started.

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