5 Signs Your Home Needs New Insulation
Did you know that the price to heat and/or cool a home in the United States can be up to $211 per month? That is almost $3,200 a year, not including installation, preventative maintenance, or any other repairs!
When it comes to home maintenance, folks who are building new homes have tried to get away from traditional fiberglass insulation. Spray foam insulation can also present a few issues. While it is inedible to common pests (unlike fiberglass), it’s not quite as environmentally friendly as cellulose insulation, and it is more likely to be compromised over time.
Many people who have decided to undergo a home remodel or a home renovation have also decided on a switch to cellulose insulation. Recent evidence has indicated that cellulose insulation has a useful life of 20 to 30 years, so it is eco-friendly while also being durable.
If you are concerned that your insulation may be failing, read on to learn about some common signs that your home needs new insulation.
1. Rapidly Increasing Energy and Home Maintenance Bills
If you’ve noticed that your heating and cooling bills are increasing quickly over a short amount of time, it’s a good indication that there may be an insulation issue in your home.
Insulation is, by definition, material that is designed and installed with the specific purpose of keeping warm air in and cold air out of your home. If you opt to go eco-friendly, you can read about cellulose insulation here.
2. Musty or Moldy Scent Throughout Your Home
If you’ve started to notice an earthy smell in your home, especially after significant precipitation, there is a possibility that moisture has infiltrated your insulation. If everything kind of smells musty – your furniture, carpet, clothing, etc. – your insulation very well may be wet.
3. Allergic-Type Reactions or Symptoms
If you’ve been coughing, sneezing, or experienced some sinus drainage lately when you wouldn’t exhibit such problems, it may be contributed to moisture or mold in your insulation. Either way, hacking and coughing in your home is not a good sign. Your first inspection should be your home’s insulation.
4. Changes in Temperature
Have you started to notice that sometimes one room is a different temperature than the next despite the same thermostat setting? It might be time to take a look at your insulation. Insulation in one area that sees more weather damage can be more prone to failure than insulation in other parts of the house.
5. Increased Pest Presence and Activity
If you have fiberglass insulation, you may start to notice more mice and roaches inside after a while. Outside, you’ll want to check your soffits and fascia for raccoon, bird, or squirrel damage. Those little critters are always looking for a warmer and more hospitable place to nest.
Consider Cellulose Insulation
There are several different options in the context of home maintenance and insulation. If you are interested in an eco-friendly option that will also properly insulate your home, consider cellulose insulation.
If you like this article, please feel free to take a look at our other home maintenance articles.
