When buying a house, especially a brand-new house it is important that you do not overlook the importance of insulation. You are already investing a significant amount of money into this purchase, so ensuring your purchase is protected and will be as cost effective as possible starts with proper insulation. Some common mistakes in new construction are ignoring thermal bridging, which is where building materials with poor insulation properties can create a path for heat to bypass the insulation. Inadequate air sealing or leaving cracks throughout the building that allows unconditioned air to enter the building. This typically occurs near windows and doors. Compression of insulation which happens when trying to fit insulation into irregular space or around certain obstacles, the compression reduces the insulating capacity of certain types of insulation.
The Consequences of Poor Insulation
Poor insulation practice can have several negative side effects. Some of those side effects are the building not being as cost friendly as possible, when poor insulation is installed, or air gaps are left, it allows the air to escape causing your HVAC system to work harder to either heat or cool your house. This can result in not only higher electricity bills but also unforeseen expenses of repairing or replacing HVAC units due to the unnecessary strain.
Another risk associated with poor insulation is the possibility of mold or wood rot. Humid climates are prone to moisture build-up which is when it's imperative to install vapor barriers. Failure to install vapor barriers correctly may cause expedited wood rot or the development of mold as moisture does not have the correct outlet.
Increased Energy Costs
As stated previously improper insulation can affect the cost efficiency of the building as a whole. Some of the ways it can be affected are as follows:
- Reduced home comfort through letting the conditioned air in the house out causing the temperature of the house to fluctuate.
- Mold and mildew growth can develop with improperly installed vapor barriers that trap moisture within the home. When this happens it is typically in a poorly ventilated location that is also hard to see, and you may not notice it till the mold has already developed.
- Structural damage can occur due to a multitude of poor insulation practices such as improperly installed vapor barriers. These can allow moisture into the framing of the house causing expedited wood rot.
Best Practices for Optimal Insulation
State and local building codes already depict minimum insulation requirements, however new energy efficient homes will likely exceed these requirements. Using a combination of different insulation methods to ensure the building is sealed and insulated adequately is a common practice.
Some methods of insulation are spray foam which is used around door and window frames to ensure there is no opening to allow air to enter or escape causing a fluctuation in the temperature of the building.
Cellulose insulation which is made from recycled paper products treated with fire retardants. Typically blown into wall cavities, providing good coverage and minimizing gaps. This method is generally used when homeowners are seeking a “greener” insulation option.
Fiberglass insulation is one of the most common forms of insulation due to how affordable it is. It provides the homeowner a multitude of options to purchase it making it versatile in application.
Mineral wool insulation is made of natural stone or recycled slag, offering excellent thermal resistance and fire protection. It can also be used in a sound proofing process.
When exploring what insulation may be best for your home we take all options into consideration to ensure you are happy with the final outcome.
Proper Insulation Levels
Proper insulation will play a pivotal part in multiple aspects of your home such as cost efficiency, longevity of the home and even comfortability within the building. Each of the following criteria will help ensure you are pleased with the outcome of your insulation process:
- Air sealing techniques: Air sealing is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home or business. It helps reduce the heating and cooling costs of the building by sealing gaps and not allowing conditioned air to escape as well as reducing the workload on your HVAC. This also improves the comfortability of the home by regulating the temperature.
- Choosing the right insulation material: Previously stated there are multiple options for insulation depending on the buyer. Each form of insulation can provide a different attribute to the home such as soundproofing, being more eco friendly or even being cost effective within the building process.
- Hiring a qualified installer: Hiring a licensed and qualified installation team can provide multiple benefits to the process. Ensuring the team is licensed and insured will protect you from possible issues in the future if it is identified that it was not installed to code. It also provides peace of mind after the insulation process is complete that it was done correctly.
Contact RM Insulation at (214) 629-2669 for a quote, consultation or if you have any questions that we can answer to help you make informed decisions when insulating your house.
