How Does Insulation Make Your Home More Energy Efficient?

Longtime Minnesota homeowners are mostly conditioned to the harsh weather elements. Nevertheless, those weather elements are hard on your wallet. With energy prices looming year after year, there are a few ways to save your energy dollars.

Contact The Construction Group today for assistance insulating your roof, attic, and what’s behind the walls.

Take a look at our blog about insulation and how it can make your home more energy efficient, especially during those harsh weather elements.

Insulation Saves On Heating & Cooling Bills

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 49% of a home’s energy bill is spent on heating and cooling. One of the main reasons your energy bills rise during the winter and summer months is that your home isn’t properly insulated.

A well-insulated home is a guaranteed way to help keep your utility bills in check, and an energy-efficient home is better for the environment as well.

Insulation Provides Thermal Resistance & Climate Control

Insulation’s primary role is to resist the transfer of heat. It acts as a barrier, slowing the movement of heat in and out of your home. This resistance, measured by the R-value, determines insulation efficiency. Higher R-values mean better insulation performance, reducing heat flow and minimizing temperature fluctuations within the home.

Insulation also helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Insulation ensures a comfortable environment year-round by preventing heat from escaping during colder months and blocking outdoor heat from entering during hotter months.

Insulation Reduces Energy Consumption

An adequately insulated home ultimately requires less energy for heating and cooling. This reduced energy consumption lowers utility bills and minimizes your home's environmental impact by decreasing reliance on heating and air conditioning systems.

Proper insulation also works hand-in-hand with air sealing to enhance energy efficiency. Combined, they prevent air leaks that could undermine insulation effectiveness. Properly sealed homes maintain controlled indoor temperatures, maximizing insulation benefits.

How Does Insulation Work?

Insulation reduces heat exchange by trapping tiny pockets of air through a surface such as a wall, attic, duct, or roof.

In a well-insulated home, less warm air escapes from the house during the winter, and less cool air escapes during the summer.

Insulation is measured by a number called “R-value,” the higher the number, the better the insulation is at resisting heat transfer.

Types of Insulation

Understanding how insulation works in each type of room or setting is vital for helping make your home more energy efficient. Here are the basics when it comes to what you need to know regarding the different types of insulation at home:

Attic Insulation

Adequate attic insulation is crucial. Heat rises, making the attic a key area for heat loss. Proper insulation here significantly reduces energy loss and maintains a comfortable temperature throughout the house.

Wall Insulation

Insulating exterior walls ensures the retention of desired indoor temperatures. There are various insulation materials available, each with specific benefits, catering to diverse structural needs and preferences.

Roof Insulation

Roof insulation contributes significantly to energy efficiency. It helps control heat gain during hot seasons and prevents heat loss in colder months, making it a crucial aspect of overall home insulation strategies.

Choosing the Right Insulation

According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), up to 90% of single-family homes in the U.S. are not insulated sufficiently, so chances are that your house might be one of those homes built before 1960 that had insulation deficiencies.

There are many different types of insulation materials to choose from, such as fiberglass, polystyrene, mineral wool, and spray foam, to name just a few.

There are differing methods of applying insulation. However, if you want the best insulation that may last the lifetime of your home, spray foam is often the better choice.

How Spray Foam Works

Spray foam insulates and air seals wherever it is applied. There are two types of spray foam insulation: open and closed cells.

Open-cell foam insulation is used for interior applications such as wall cavities, attics, basements, or crawl spaces.

Closed-cell has the highest R-value available, which is ideal for exterior and interior applications. In addition, it is recognized as a flood-resistant material by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Closed-cell foam insulation has many advantages over other types of insulation, including application at very low temperatures.

The Construction Group is Your Insulation Central

Whether it’s summer, fall, or between the harshest seasons, it’s never too late to add proper insulation to your home. When all is said and done, your savings on energy costs will decrease, and over time, the savings will pay off the investment you made.

Have questions? Our experts are here to help you with insulation and all your home maintenance needs, such as replacing windows, gutters, or replacing your roof.