Here’s how insulation helps your home

If you’ve ever wondered why your heating or cooling bills seem to be out of sync with previous years, poor insulation could be the culprit.

You’re paying good money to heat and cool your house, so there’s no sense letting all that energy just float away. Insulation is a critical tool in balancing your home’s temperature without breaking the bank on electrical and gas bills. In fact, proper insulation can drop your heating and cooling costs by as much as 15%.

But recent studies show that between half and two-thirds of American homes don’t have enough insulation. Many factors can lower your insulation efficiency, including wearing down from age, exposure to leaks, or rodents getting into your walls and attic. If your energy use seems higher than it should be, consider hiring an insulation contractor to take a look and make recommendations.

In some cases, you can perform your own inspection to get a sense of the situation. First, make sure you wear protective gear such as a face mask, gloves and goggles, as well as a long-sleeved shirt and pants. Fiberglass insulation can be sharp to the touch.

Next, check your attic to ensure none of the vents are blocked. Impeded airflow will lead to poor ventilation and could promote mold growth or ice dams on the roof. Look for signs of leakage, which both damage the insulation and indicate the roof needs repair.