In Waimea, we’re no strangers to seasonal extremes. One winter it got down to 36 degrees at my house! That’s only four degrees above freezing!
Insulation is one of the most important elements of home performance. It plays a crucial role in the home, and without it your AC or heating system won’t keep up. Around 90% of homes in America are under-insulated, and many people don’t even realize that they have a problem on their hands. Today’s high-performance insulation options are some of the most effective upgrades you can make, and there is a variety to choose from.
THE IMPORTANCE OF INSULATION YEAR-ROUND
Insulation is associated with “winter,” which makes sense considering how important it is for keeping us warm. But it’s just as important in the summertime. It’s not like a sweater.
If your home is difficult to cool in the summer, chances are it’s an insulation problem.
TYPES OF INSULATION
So many…rolls, batts, blown-in, rigid foamboard… and rockwool is made from spun lava and has a growing following. It’s made from rocks! But typically I do blown-in insulation in existing attics. It helps a lot, is formaldehyde-free, and by blowing it we can get consistent coverage, which is a huge bonus.
BENEFITS OF INSULATION UPGRADES
Once the work’s done, your home will be more comfortable, resulting in lower energy bills, better indoor air quality, and the peace of mind associated with knowing that you’re not wasting energy needlessly.
Some of my clients call me because they want “air conditioning.” Instead, I insulate their house…and it works so well that they don’t want AC any more. And insulation comes with NO maintenance contracts, NO mechanical parts to break, NO future replacement costs, and NO HELCO bills.
And…did I mention that insulation is cheaper than AC? Don’t fall into the AC trap!
