When the temperatures start to drop for fall, many homeowners start to look toward their future energy bills as the heating season approaches. This year’s fall prep can include scheduling oil delivery, taking window AC units out, changing air filters, and making sure the furnace turns on.
However, one of the most overlooked, yet crucial, aspects of getting your home prepared for the fall is checking in on your insulation. Insulation that has deteriorated or is no longer effective can lead to increased heat and energy loss, which may have been gradually affecting your home for years without you even realizing it.
If you are looking to keep your home more comfortable this fall while also saving energy, Energy Savers has seen many homes in the greater Syracuse area benefit from upgrading their insulation. Here’s why:
Why Insulation Matters
Insulation acts as a barrier, preventing the cold outside air from seeping into your home and the warm inside air from escaping. When insulation is compromised, your furnace has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature, leading to higher energy bills. Insulation can become damaged and ineffective in a number of ways. If your insulation has dealt with any of the following, it may no longer be working in your favor:
- Gotten wet
- Been stepped on or compressed
- Had a pest infestation of any kind
- Shown signs of mold growth
The less effective your insulation, the more heat will escape in the winter and infiltrate in the summer. Over time this can add up to a lot of energy loss, and extra wear and tear on your heating and cooling systems..
Key Areas for Insulation
Checking in on your insulation during the “in-between season” of early fall will get your home ready for a more comfortable and efficient heating season. If these areas are easily accessible, you will be able to do a visual inspection of the state of your insulation — however, we recommend scheduling an energy audit with an insulation professional before tackling any upgrades. These are the most common areas where insulation is the most impactful in making a home more comfortable and energy efficient:
Attic
Heat tends to rise, and without proper insulation in the attic, a significant portion of your home’s heat can escape through the roof. Over time, attic insulation can become compressed, wet, or displaced, reducing its effectiveness.
Crawl Space
The crawl space might be out of sight, but it shouldn’t be out of mind. Insulating the crawl space can prevent cold air and moisture from entering your home from the ground, which is what causes cold morning floors. Spray foam insulation is also often used in the crawl space because it air seals as well as insulates.
Exterior Walls
Depending on the design and location of your home, well-insulated exterior walls can also make a difference in your home’s overall energy efficiency.
The Benefits of Improved Insulation
Upgrading or replacing your insulation can provide a myriad of benefits, including:
- Reduced Indoor Drafts
- Improved Indoor Air Quality
- Stable Indoor Temperatures
- Reduced Energy Costs
- Increased Soundproofing
- Enhanced Home Value
Schedule an Energy Audit with Energy Savers
Fall is the perfect time to check in on your home’s insulation. Add an energy audit to your insulation maintenance this fall, and prepare your home for a more comfortable and energy efficient winter. Our team of home performance and building science experts will assess the current state of your home energy efficiency through diagnostic testing and visual inspections. We’ll also provide you with customized recommendations on how to move forward with your home improvement project. We even include rebates and incentive information, so you can know about the savings available to homeowners who are investing in the efficiency of their homes.
