How Home Insulation Improves Your Space

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Having a well-maintained HVAC system is only half the battle. If you want to keep your home at a comfortable temperature year-round, you need good home insulation in Mesa, AZ. Without proper insulation, your home is far more prone to heat transfer. That means a hot, miserable house in the summer and a cold one in the winter—and costly energy bills all year long.

Here is a quick guide to home insulation.

What does insulation do?

Insulation prevents heat transfer. If you remember your elementary school science classes, you may recall that when hot and cold air meet, they try to level out. If the hot air outside is intruding into your air-conditioned home, your air conditioner will have to work twice as hard to keep the house cool. 

If you have appropriate insulation, however, it will block heat transfer. That keeps warm air inside during the winter, and cool air inside during the summer. How well a material insulates is called its “R-value.” Different types of insulation have different R-values, and which type you need will depend on your specific home.

Typically, heat transfer occurs in your walls and attic. If you insulate your walls, you can reduce heat transfer by up to 67 percent, and an insulated attic can reduce it by up to 40 percent. Since heating and cooling costs make up about 54 percent of a household’s utility bills, it’s worth investing in quality insulation. It’ll pay for itself over the long term.

Types of insulation

Here are some of the most common types of insulation:

  • Fiberglass: Fiberglass is the most commonly used insulation material. It comes in loose fill varieties and batts, and is often the cheapest option available. It’s usually installed between joists, beams and studs, is fire resistant and can protect your home from humidity (although that’s not usually a major concern in the Mesa area).
  • Spray foam: Spray foam insulation is, true to its name, sprayed into new wall spaces, unfinished attics and your existing walls. The spray foam expands to fill the space, and can be “carved” down after it has dried and cured. It’s fast, easy and effective, although it tends to be more expensive than fiberglass.
  • Mineral wool: Mineral wool is similar to fiberglass insulation. It comes in loose fill, which is blown into empty spaces. Not only is it extremely heat resistant, but it also helps soundproof your home. It is, however, significantly more expensive than fiberglass insulation.
  • Cellulose: Finally, cellulose insulation is an organic type of insulation—but because it absorbs moisture, it needs to be replaced every five years. It’s installed similarly to mineral wool.

Whichever type of insulation you choose, make sure you have a professional install it. Some insulation types are hazardous to your health—not to mention messy—so it’s best to work with an experienced contractor.

Are you ready to install, replace or upgrade your insulation? Work with the Mesa, AZ home insulation professionals at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air. Call today to learn more.