Proper insulation is key to maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home and keeping your energy bills low. It keeps the heat in during the winter and the cool air in during the summer, ensuring a comfortable, safe, and healthy environment for your family all year long.
Unfortunately, insulation can settle, shift, and break down over time, losing its effectiveness and leaving your home vulnerable to temperature fluctuations and higher energy bills. So how do you know when it might be time for insulation replacement in your home?
Experts at Revive Restoration, a full restoration service company, serving homeowners in Wisconsin and Minnesota locations, have put together a list of 7 signs that it might be time to replace the existing insulation in your home.
If you experience any of the following, it’s time to give us a call for a free insulation inspection and quote. We’ll help you determine the best course of action to take to keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient all year long.
1. High Energy Bills
If your energy bills have been gradually increasing over time, it could be a sign that your insulation is no longer efficient and your home needs new insulation.
When insulation breaks down, it loses its ability to effectively keep heat in or out, causing your HVAC system to work overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. This adds pressure to your system, driving up your energy bills.
2. Uneven Temperature in Your Home
If certain rooms in your home are always too hot or cold, it’s a sign of improper insulation. When insulation is effective, it keeps the temperature in your home consistent, no matter what room you’re in.
If you find yourself constantly adjusting the thermostat or using space heaters and fans to try to even out the temperature in your home, it’s time to call your local insulation contractor at Revive Restoration and replace your insulation.
3. Your Furnace Runs More Often than Usual
While your furnace should run intermittently to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, it could be a sign of ineffective insulation materials if you find that it’s running more often than usual.
When insulation breaks down, it loses its ability to keep heat in, causing your furnace to work overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature. This pushes your energy bills higher and puts additional strain on your furnace, which can shorten its lifespan and lead to more frequent repairs.
4. Lack of Insulation in the Walls, Attic Space, or Crawl spaces
When there is insufficient insulation in your walls, attic, or crawl space, it can make it easier for unconditioned air to enter your home, driving up energy costs and making it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature.
If you’re not sure how much insulation is in your home or if any areas lack insulation, have a home energy audit done to identify any insulation deficiencies. A professional auditor will conduct a comprehensive inspection of your insulation and let you know how much more is needed to insulate your home properly.
5. Cold Floors, Walls, and Ceilings
Your floors, walls, and ceilings should feel warm to the touch, even in the winter. If they’re cold to the touch, it’s a sign that heat is escaping from your home. This can be caused by a lack of or ineffective insulation, a sign that it’s time for insulation replacement.
Proper and adequate insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature in your home and keeps heat from escaping through your floors, walls, and ceilings. The last thing you want in the winter is for your home to be cold and uncomfortable.
6. Ice Dams on Your Roof
Ice dams result from heat escaping from your home and melting the snow on your roof. This heat exchange creates a mini-ecosystem on your roof where the heat from your home melts the snow, which then refreezes and creates an ice dam.
This ice dam can cause water to back up under your shingles and into your home, leading to water damage. Ice dams are mainly caused by poor attic insulation, which, when not addressed, can cause extensive damage to your home, resulting in costly repairs.
7. A Pest Infestation
If you have pests in your home, it could be a sign of poor insulation. Mice and other small animals are attracted to the warmth of your home in the winter and will try to enter through any cracks or openings they can find.
Once they’re in, they’ll build nests out of your fiberglass or cellulose insulation to keep warm. Not only are these pests a nuisance, but they can also cause damage to your home and put your family at risk for diseases.
Get Reliable and Efficient Insulation Replacement from Revive Restoration
