Insulation Perth slows the flow of heat through your home, keeping the warm air inside in winter and the hot air out in summer. It reduces your energy consumption significantly.
There are many types of insulation, some come in blanket form like cellulose or mineral wool and some are blown in loose or in a granular form to cavity wall and lofts. These can all vary in R and U value but all of them slow down the transfer of thermal energy.
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Insulation is one of the best home improvement projects you can do to save money. It keeps heat from escaping in the winter and from entering in the summer, which significantly cuts energy bills. In fact, an uninsulated home uses up to 30% more energy to keep warm than a properly insulated one.
The cost of installing insulation typically pays for itself through energy savings in less than a year and continues to pay dividends for the life of your home. Insulation also reduces the strain on heating and cooling systems, which extends their lifespan and helps them operate at optimal performance.
Having enough attic insulation, for example, can cut energy costs by up to 15%, especially in climate zones six and seven. Properly insulated homes also use less natural gas and electricity, which in turn decreases the amount of pollutants produced.
Insulation comes in many forms, with different R-values that determine how effective it is at preventing thermal transfer. Fiberglass insulation (the pink material you often see in attics) is economical and relatively easy to install. It’s available in batts and rolls, which you can fit between wall studs and ceiling joists. Foam board insulation is more expensive but is highly effective at reducing energy consumption. It’s available as expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), or polyisocyanurate foam (polyiso).
The most effective type of insulation for your home depends on where it will be installed, the R-value you want, and the climate zone in which you live. For maximum energy efficiency, experts recommend insulating the attic, exterior walls, and floors above unheated spaces.
The EPA estimates that homeowners can reduce their energy bills by 15% with proper insulation and sealing air leaks. A professional home energy assessment can help identify areas where you need more insulation and what types are most appropriate.
Increases Home Comfort
Insulation acts as a barrier to prevent heat loss or gain, keeping your home at an even temperature throughout the year. This reduces the demand on your heating or cooling system, saving you money and ensuring that they operate at their best. Insulation also makes your living space more comfortable by eliminating drafts and maintaining a constant temperature.
In addition, insulation increases air quality by preventing the infiltration of outdoor pollutants and volatile chemicals. This can prevent respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. It also blocks outdoor irritants, such as pollen, dust and volatile organic compounds that can trigger allergies. Insulation also helps to maintain a healthy humidity level in your home, preventing the growth of mildew and mould.
The most obvious benefit of a properly insulated home is the significant savings on your energy costs. In the winter, insulation traps your home’s heat to avoid losing it to the outside atmosphere, which can lead to high heating bills. In the summer, it does the opposite – stopping heat from escaping your home, so you don’t have to crank up your air conditioning.
Proper insulation can also improve your comfort by reducing outside noise. Whether it’s traffic, neighbours or children playing video games, insulation can help to reduce the amount of noise that enters your living spaces. This can reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality and make your home a quieter and more enjoyable environment to live in.
A well-insulated house also adds to the resale value of your property. Potential buyers are often looking for a more energy-efficient home, and as such, an upgraded insulation system is something they will be keen on.
It can be installed in a variety of ways to suit your specific requirements and budget. It can be installed in wall cavities, between floor joists and rafters, or in the ceiling of your home. It can also be blown into place, a method that is particularly suitable if your framing is irregular or you have obstructions to deal with. It can also be poured in, but this method is not recommended for new constructions.
Prevents Mold & Moisture Damage
Mold and moisture damage aren’t just unsightly, they can also affect indoor air quality and pose health risks for building occupants. Mold can lead to rot of wood and drywall, weaken the structural integrity of a building, and trigger allergies or respiratory problems for people with sensitive immune systems. Molds release spores that are known to cause itchy eyes, noses, throats, and lungs.
Proper insulation prevents mold and moisture damage by preventing condensation. Insulation that is vapor-permeable, such as closed-cell foam or fiberglass with a vapor barrier, prevents moisture from infiltrating the walls and roof of a building and condensing inside insulation. This reduces the risk of mold and rot, as well as improves energy efficiency by stopping heat from escaping the home or business.
Moisture intrusion in a building isn’t just an aesthetic issue; it can lead to serious structural damage, as well as rot, mold, and other issues with wood, drywall, and insulation. Mold and mildew can also degrade the indoor air quality, leading to allergies or respiratory problems for building occupants.
Choosing an insulation with moisture-resistance helps to prevent these issues. Fiberglass, for example, is mold resistant because it has no nutritional value for mold to grow, and cellulose insulation, which is made from ground-up paper, is treated with fire retardant and fungicide chemicals to make it less appealing to mold spores.
However, most insulation does become wet through leaking roofs or plumbing issues, and even a few drops of water can cause mold to grow and deteriorate the insulation. Insulation with a high drying capacity, like closed-cell AP ArmaFlex foam, allows for the material to dry quickly and minimizes the risk of mold and other damage.
A well-installed insulation system creates a tighter building envelope, preventing warm outside air from infiltrating the building and contributing to condensation and mold growth. Insulation also helps reduce the infiltration of outdoor pollutants and allergens into a building, improving indoor air quality. This makes it easier to maintain a healthy environment for building occupants, especially those with asthma or allergies.
Saves Money in the Long Run
Insulation is a great investment that will provide you with significant long-term cost savings. This is especially true if you live in an area that experiences hot summers and cold winters. It will reduce the strain on your air conditioning system and help to balance temperature fluctuations throughout the year, resulting in lower energy bills. Insulation also increases the lifespan of HVAC systems, lowering repair and replacement costs.
It’s important to consider that the effectiveness of insulation depends on its R-value and proper installation. A professional installer will measure your home to determine the R-value required and install the material according to industry standards. R-value is a measurement of the thermal resistance of an insulating product, and it can vary between materials.
There are many different types of insulation, each with its own unique characteristics and benefits. Fiberglass is the pink, fluffy material you’re likely most familiar with; it’s available in batts and rolls and installed between wall studs and ceiling joists. Cellulose is made from recycled paper and other renewable materials; it’s a more environmentally friendly option, and it offers a higher R-value than fiberglass. Spray foam is a versatile type of insulation that can be used for insulating walls, attics, and other spaces; it expands to fill gaps and cracks.
The best insulation type for your home will depend on your needs and budget. However, it’s worth remembering that energy bill savings alone will often pay for the initial investment within a few years. In addition, if you live in an area that experiences high gas prices, your energy savings may be even greater than those of a homeowner in a low-cost region.
Whether you’re building a new home or looking to increase the value of your existing property, installing proper insulation can be one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make. It will save you money on your energy bills and contribute to a sustainable future for your family and the environment.