Insulation is a vital component of your home envelope that affects comfort and the energy budget. However, insulation is one of the most misunderstood materials in the home, and those misconceptions may be attributed to insulation myths. If you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your current home or if you’re planning a new construction, get the facts about home insulation for comfortable results.
Cellulose Insulation Isn’t Safe
This myth actually stems from logic and common sense, but it’s still a myth. Cellulose is comprised mostly of paper pulp, such as recycled newspaper. The paper is thoroughly treated with fire-resistant chemicals to make it safe. Since cellulose doesn’t create smoke and doesn’t melt, many argue that it’s actually safer than the more common fiberglass insulation.
Attic Space Is the Only Important Area to Insulate
In the height of summer and winter, attic temperatures reach extreme highs and lows. Insulation helps minimize heat gain/loss between the attic and living spaces, but it’s not the only place where insulation is necessary. The exterior walls of your Des Moines home are susceptible to substantial heat gain and loss, as well. Ventilated crawl spaces are big contributors to higher energy bills if the floors aren’t properly insulated too.
Spray-In Foam Insulation Seals Air Leaks
If any HVAC technician or installer tells you that spray-in foam insulation seals air leaks, find another technician. While spray-in foam does a good job of reducing air movement, you still need an air barrier installed to thoroughly seal air infiltration.
Installing Insulation Inside Existing Walls Isn’t Worth the Cost and Hassle
This would probably be true if you were tearing out drywall to install fiberglass batts. If the wall cavities open up into the attic, you can easily install loose fill insulation. Even better, spray-in foam can be installed with only a few small holes drilled into walls.
Insulation myths can be expensive to remedy, so talk to an HVAC technician about insulation solutions for your home if comfort is lacking and energy bills are suspiciously high. Contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning to get the facts about insulating your northeast Ohio home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about insulation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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