How Do I Know If I Need More Insulation?

Some necessary home improvements are easy to pinpoint. If a kitchen or bathroom looks outdated, you know it’s time for a remodel. If a boiler breaks down 20 years after being installed, it’s time for a replacement. But what about home insulation? You can’t exactly see inside your walls, and getting into the attic to conduct an in-depth visual assessment is no picnic, either.

Fortunately, you don’t have to possess the supernatural ability to see through walls in order to determine whether your home needs new insulation — especially when you have a knowledgeable home efficiency specialist like A+ Energy Services at your side.

Insulation Enhances Home Comfort & Saves Energy

Before you start digging for the signs of an under-insulated home, it’s important to understand how insulation works in the first place. Insulation’s primary purpose is to keep your home comfortable year-round. It does so by keeping valuable heat indoors during the winter and unwanted heat outdoors during the summer. The most important areas in the home to insulate are the attic, exterior walls, and basement or crawlspace.

When your home is more comfortable, naturally you can run your heating and air conditioning systems less often. This helps you conserve more energy and save money on your annual heating and cooling costs.

Telltale Signs that It’s Time to Insulate

Ideally, your home should feel comfortable year-round — without you having to crank up the heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many homeowners in southern New Hampshire. If you’re experiencing any of the following “symptoms” in your house, chances are it’s time for an insulation upgrade.

• Fluctuating indoor temperatures

• Indoor drafts, especially in the winter

• Cold floors in the winter

• Hot upstairs in the summer

• High energy bills

• Frequent pest infestations

In addition, if you can get a look at any of your insulation, try to perform a quick visual inspection. If your insulation has visibly settled or been damaged due to water or pests, it’s definitely time to install new insulation.

Start Your Insulation Upgrade with an Energy Audit

These are all telltale signs that it’s time for new insulation, but they still don’t tell you exactly where your home needs to be air sealed and reinsulated. For a comprehensive look at the state of your home’s insulation, schedule an energy audit. An energy audit uses high-tech diagnostic equipment to pinpoint inefficiencies like air leaks and missing insulation — even those which may be hiding behind your walls.

After your audit, our team can tell you exactly which areas need new insulation — and which insulation materials to use for optimum comfort and energy efficiency. Along your attic floor, for example, we might recommend air sealing with spray foam insulation and then installing loose fill cellulose insulation on top. In an unfinished bonus room and basement, we might recommend installing fiberglass batt insulation or fire rated rigid foam insulation, respectively. Because we are insulation specialists serving homeowners in southern NH, we can also install any insulation upgrades your home may be in need of.

Find out exactly where your New Hampshire home needs new insulation. Call (603) 489-9269 or contact us to schedule an energy audit!