Attic Insulation: How It Improves the Efficiency of Your HVAC System
October 5th, 2021Homes with attics often experience issues with their HVAC system. Don’t worry—this may not be the result of a damaged or dysfunctional unit. More often than not, insufficient attic insulation is the culprit in the inefficiency of an HVAC system.
Why Isn’t My Insulation Working?
Poor attic insulation makes it more challenging to cool your house to a specified temperature. This often results in the increased wear and tear of your HVAC system, causing critical malfunctions, system failure, and increased electric bills as your unit works overtime to heat your home adequately. Proper insulation will trap indoor air and provide a more comfortable indoor climate.
What Are the Best Types of Insulation?
Choosing the right type of insulation for your home is the first step in improving the efficiency of your HVAC unit. There are four different types of insulation, all of which vary to some degree. Take some time to familiarize yourself with these variants and choose the one that sounds like the best choice for you!
Blown-in Insulation
Blown-in (loose-fill) insulation is easily adjustable to any shape of attic space and its parameters. This form of insulation is a favorite among homeowners and is relatively simple to add to your home. HVAC technicians can blow it into open or inaccessible areas, making it easier to install than other types of insulation.
Rigid Board Insulation
The roof shell, headers, and slabs beneath the ground make for perfect places to install rigid board insulation. This type of insulation does a phenomenal job of slowing the flow of air and humidity, thus keeping your home’s temperature comfortable. HVAC techs must properly install rigid board insulation to ensure maximum coverage.
Batt Insulation
You’ll most likely find batt insulation in homes aged 10 to 50 years. Batt insulation consists of large and puffy insulation sheets that are easy to install in walls and attics. Although this form of insulation is inexpensive and adheres to any homeowner’s budget, it also maintains its efficiency for decades.
Spray Foam Insulation
There are two forms of spray foam: open-cell or closed-cell. Both forms of insulation serve to avoid thermal loss, seal humidity, and serve as an air barrier. This type of insulation is also known to maintain its value for years.
Benefits of Attic Insulation
Not only does proper attic insulation ensure the comfortability of your home, but it also provides many other benefits. These benefits include lower electric bills, better indoor air quality, less wear and tear to your HVAC, and an overall safer home structure.
When air escapes through your attic, your HVAC senses that it isn’t meeting the desired indoor temperature. Your system must then work overtime to keep the temperature constant, resulting in significant increases in energy consumption and higher electric bills.
This escape of air and the resulting overworking of your HVAC can also lead to more wear and tear on your unit that will require repairs from services. Avoid this by insulating your attic and maintaining the warm air you essentially pay your HVAC to produce!
Your air quality also improves with better insulation. Unfiltered air contains dust, dirt particles, dander, pollen, bacteria, and other substances that can be harmful to your health. Avoid this by adequately insulating your attic, thereby preventing the unfiltered circulation of contaminated outdoor air with your filtered indoor air.
Proper insulation will also reduce heat and moisture damage to your home. It avoids and erodes water vapor so that the structural integrity of your home remains uncompromised. This insulation also prevents mold and mildew growth!
Do You Need Professional Assistance?
Whether you require an HVAC service for routine maintenance, repairs for your HVAC system, or a professional to install sufficient attic insulation, Island Comfort has you covered! Our technicians are pros when it comes to the best attic insulation and have years of experience providing homeowners with the insight and services they require to keep their Hawaii home comfortable year-round!
Discover our story and give us a call at (888) 781-0364 after reading up on why we’re recognized as a five-star service!