How to Determine if You Have Poor Insulation

March 17, 2021

Insulation is pivotal in keeping your home comfortable and your energy bills low all year long. Unfortunately, insulation doesn’t last forever. It becomes less effective as it ages, and can even become a breeding ground for pests. Continue reading to learn a few of the signs that will help you determine if your Northern California home is not well insulated.

Old age

If your home was built before 1970, you can stop reading right now—it’s likely time to re-insulate your home. Insulation technology has come a long way in the past few decades, meaning it’s better at keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. Contact your insulation contractor today to schedule an assessment of your home.

Higher energy bills

Looking at your monthly heating and cooling bills is another easy way to tell if it’s time for insulation. If your energy bills are higher than usual, it means your HVAC system is working overtime to heat or cool your home. Adding insulation is an easy way to address this problem. Your new insulation will pay for itself in no time thanks to your lower energy bills.

Fluctuating room temperatures

If some rooms are colder or warmer than others, your home is likely under-insulated. Instead of simply adding insulation to the rooms that feel drafty or too warm, we recommend going a step further. Bolstering insulation up in the attic and down in the crawlspace is a better way to fix this issue while making your home more energy efficient.

Upper-floor temperature differences

If you have a multi-story home, you may notice a temperature difference on the floor closest to the attic. This is another one of the signs to watch for when determining if your Northern California home is not well insulated. There should be at least six inches of insulation in the attic. Any less than that could make upper floors colder or hotter than the rest of your home.

Cracks near windows or doors

It’s not uncommon for small cracks to appear on your walls, especially near windows or doors. After all, houses shift and settle through the years. While it’s not a bad idea to have these cracks inspected by a professional, they could indicate that your walls are under-insulated. Seal those cracks for the time being with caulk, then call an insulation contractor to bolster your insulation.

Evidence of pests

Rodents, insects and other creepy-crawly critters are known to make nests in blown-in insulation. After all, it’s nice and warm and away from predators. Any evidence of their presence—like droppings or urine stains—means your insulation is damaged and needs to be replaced. Upgrade to spray foam insulation to ensure this never happens again.

Contact our team today

Remember, insulation isn’t just something to worry about in the colder months—it protects your home all year long. So, if you’re concerned that your house might need new insulation, call Ace Insulation Inc. We know all the signs that determine whether your Northern California home is not well insulated, and we have all of the best insulation products to fix the problem.

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