How Insulation Can Lower Your Cleveland Energy Bills

By Author: Ronald Mendez
Total Articles: 1
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Does your HVAC system continuously run just to keep up with the moderate temperature setting on your thermostat? Do you feel drafts of chilly air enter your home during cold months? Are different rooms in your house uncomfortably hot in the summer and frigid in the winter? If so, your home probably isn't adequately insulated. Don't worry: Many homes waste energy (and homeowners' money) because of insufficient insulation.

Inadequate insulation causes too much heat to leak out of a house during winter months, and too much heat to leak in on hot summer days. With the heating and air conditioning systems struggling to overcome this inefficiency, too many Cleveland homeowners are spending excessive amounts of money on utilities. Fortunately, this wasteful situation can be remedied quickly and affordably. By combining air-sealing improvements with insulation upgrades, it's often possible to reduce overall energy usage up to 40%. That means that $4 out of every $10 you used to spend on electricity, fuel oil and/or natural gas can go back into your pocket. As a bonus, you can feel good about reducing carbon emissions that are ...
... harmful to the environment

Continue reading to learn how a certified Cleveland insulation contractor can quickly and affordably transform your inefficient home into an showcase for improved energy performance.

How Heat Moves
Heat naturally moves from warmer to colder areas. The purpose of insulation is to resist the transfer of heat. The "R" in R-value stands for resistance to heat movement. Contrary to popular belief, insulation isn't just important to have during the winter when frigid outdoor air wants to make its way inside. Insulation is also vital during summer months when outdoor heat naturally wants to move into your air-conditioned home. The importance of insulation makes sense when you consider that during most times of the year, we're spending money to condition the interior of the house because outdoor temperatures aren't comfortable enough.

How Much Insulation Do I Need?
One of the first things a certified Cleveland insulation contractor will determine during a free home insulation inspection is how well your home is insulated. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends the following insulation R-values for Cleveland homes: R49-R60 total R-value for attic insulation, and R25-R30 for floors.

A Cleveland insulation contractor can determine the current insulation R-values in your home and recommend ways to beef-up areas needing additional protection. This may include using spray foam insulation to fill in hard-to-reach gaps or tight spaces that other types of insulation (e.g. fiberglass) cannot reach or protect.

Ensuring Proper Installation
Like many building materials, insulation will only be effective if it is properly installed by a knowledgeable and experienced specialist. That's why it's important to hire a certified and reputable Cleveland insulation contractor for all your insulation needs. If insulation is compacted, wet, or installed with what's known as "voids" (gaps in protection), its overall effectiveness drops while your energy bills continue to rise.

Air Sealing is Equally Important
Just as brownies and ice cream go together, so do insulation and air sealing. Having one is good, but having both is far better! The truth is that insulation will not be nearly as effective if there are unsealed areas through which outdoor air can easily pass. By having a Cleveland insulation contractor seal air leaks in the attic, basement, walls, and floors, a home will become energy-efficient and the homeowner's energy bills will be significantly reduced.

Studies show that more than 65 million U.S. homes lack proper insulation. Don't let your Ohio home fall into that category. Whether you live in Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Marion, Strongsville, Brunswick, or other nearby town, save money and reduce energy usage by contacting a certified Cleveland insulation contractor today!

Does your HVAC system continuously run just to keep up with the moderate temperature setting on your thermostat? Do you feel drafts of chilly air enter your home during cold months? Are different rooms in your house uncomfortably hot in the summer and frigid in the winter?