Can you afford to add insulation to your home? The question really is, can you afford not to add
it? Adding insulation to the home is like wrapping it in a tight blanket to keep it warm or to keep
the cool air within from escaping. Many homes do not have the right amount of insulation they need
and therefore face larger heating and cool bills because of it. Not all homes need additional
insulation, especially newer homes that now come with enough. Older homes, though, are commonly in
need of insulation. What's more, homes that have not had any upgrade or replacement may also need to
add insulation simply because the old may be worn, defective or even damaged by mold or mildew.
Prior to getting to the benefits of home insulation, take into consideration your need for it. If
your home is older than 30 to 40 years, it pays to head up to the attic to check out what is there.
You are looking for insulation in your attic walls, your roof, and your attic floors and even into
your basement. Your basement should have moisture protection as well (which you can add with your
insulation, too.) It may also be a good idea to hire a licensed energy auditor who will come to your
home and tell you where you are losing energy and what benefit investing in additional insulation
will have in your home.
Short Term Benefits
You can add insulation to your home throughout the home. Each area of the home will offer its own
benefits. For example, if you enjoy watching television in your living room but hate the draft that
comes from the windows, adding the right type of insulation to those windows will improve the
comfort of that room. If the heating bill has been steadily rising over time because of soaring
energy costs, adding insulation to the attic or other regions of the home will help to lower the
amount of energy your home requires therefore lowering your heating bill. You can see the short-term
benefits such as these as soon as the insulation is in place. You will notice these things happen
right away.
In the short term, by sealing off and insulating your home, you could save up to 20 percent on
heating and cooling costs from the day you have completed the work, according to the Energy Star
Program from the US Department of Energy. What's more, this is a reduction to most of 10 percent on
their overall total annual energy bill. Adding insulation to your home offers a significant return
on your investment into the insulation.
Long Term Benefits
Perhaps you want to see the long-term benefits of adding insulation. Here are some to
consider.
Replacing worn, destroyed or moldy home insulation will improve your health and that of your
family. While improvement can be seen instantly, you can also reduce the likelihood that your child
will develop allergies or other breathing products by keeping them from being exposed to mildew and
mold from this insulation.
Adding insulation to your basement can help to lock out moisture and help to prevent problems
from water damage to the foundation of your home (depending on the type of insulation used.)
Adding insulation to the home can help to increase the property value of it for resale. A
properly insulated home has lower energy bills, offers a more comfortable experience and often
features improved windows and doors. This can help you to sell your home.
You are helping to save the Earth, too. By adding insulation into your home, you decrease the
amount of energy your home needs. This means that less energy needs to burn to keep your home
functioning, which in turn means fewer greenhouse gasses are polluting the air.
All of these benefits, both short and long term, help to make living in your home easier, more
comfortable and more affordable. Adding insulation to your home, when needed, adds benefit
throughout your daily life. Work with an auditor to determine what areas of your home could benefit
from added insulation. You will be impressed with how large of an impact adding insulation to your
home can be.
