3 Ways To Make Home Insulation More Efficient

Install home insulation to make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy bills. To get the best results, you need to choose a high R-value material that is Home Insulation guaranteed for at least 25 years. It's best if you insulate the walls and attic first, as most of the heat loss escapes through them. In addition, you must take measures that contribute to the efficiency of this great home improvement feat. Consider the main ones.

Eliminate moisture spots and damage before installation.

Moisture is one of the biggest enemies of insulating materials. It can lead to shrinkage and degradation. This can result in a significant reduction in the R-value of the material. In addition, existing moisture stains will not disappear through the insulation. It can even increase the degree of condensation.

For these reasons, it is crucial that damp stains on the walls and attic are repaired effectively. You need to find and fix the cause of the problem. Likewise, any damage to the structures can cause problems when installing the protective material. If it's not installed properly, it won't work as effectively as promised. Therefore, you must also have other damage repaired in advance.

Repair gutters and downspouts.

The gutters and downspouts serve to channel rainwater to the ground and protect the roof, walls, and foundation from damage. They are critical to keeping home insulation dry and working effectively. You should have them repaired in advance to avoid leaks. The gutters and downspouts should be firmly attached to the roof or walls. All holes must be sealed. You need to clean the gutters regularly to prevent clogging and rainwater overflow. Alternatively, you can install gutter guards.

Watch out for drafts.

When there are many inlets of cold air into your home, the insulation efficiency is greatly reduced. That is why you need to eliminate drafts. Drafts typically arise from gaps around windows, doors, skylights, plumbing , and electrical installations. The main materials used to fill these gaps include spray foam, foam and plastic strips that are self-adhesive, and silicone-based fillers. You need to choose the most suitable material for each fixture or fitting with a gap.

The best home insulation on a budget

You can save hundreds on energy bills every year by installing home insulation. At the same time, you don't have a lot of money to invest in the materials and professional installation. What to do? There is a way out of this situation. In fact, you can apply a number of effective solutions at the same time. Find out what they are.

Start with the attic and move on to the walls.

It is estimated that around 25% of all heat lost in a home is removed through the roof. Another 35% of the lost heat goes through the walls. If you are on a budget, you should start with the attic simply because the project is less demanding and consequently cheaper. You may be able to install the material yourself without paying a professional to do it.

Later, when you save more money, you can move on to the walls. Cavity insulation is the best option as it gives the most effective results and the greatest long-term savings. Save when you mount hard foam panels directly to the outer walls. This type of project is cheaper, but the energy savings may not be as great.

Compare different insulating materials.

It is worth comparing different materials so that you can choose the most efficient and affordable option. You need to focus on the R-value of each material and how thick the layer installed in your home can be. You should use a calculator to work out the total cost. You need to determine if you can achieve greater savings by installing a thinner layer of high R-value material or a thicker layer of lower R-value material.

It is extremely important that the material is durable. It should retain its insulating properties even when exposed to moisture. The longer the useful life of the material, the more savings you will achieve.

Get financial support.

There are three main sources of support that you need to check. The first is your energy company. They may have special insulation grants or other funding programs that may benefit you. You need to check what the national and local authorities have to offer. Typically, they Boiler Grant operate schemes that offer various allowances. Many lenders have special energy efficiency loans for consumers that come with a lower interest rate. These are also worth your attention.