A well-insulated home is essential for both comfort and energy-efficiency. In this article, the heating and cooling experts from the Air Treatment Heating & Cooling will cover everything you need to know about insulation: including what it is, how to test your home’s insulation levels, and how to add more if needed.
What is insulation?
Insulation is a special type of filling material used in homes and buildings to prevent heat transfer with outside air. Insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer – all while minimizing the workload on your HVAC system. There are several types of insulation available, including:
- Batts. Pre-cut pieces of insulation that are generally installed between wall studs.
- Rolls. Pre-cut in width, but come in long lengths to cover areas such as floors and crawl spaces.
- Blow-in insulation. Loose insulation that can be sprayed into hard-to-reach areas with a specialized air blower.
How to test home insulation
Unless your home was recently built or renovated, it is very likely that your insulation levels do not meet modern-day standards. The best, most accurate way to test your home’s insulation is through a professional energy audit, however, there are ways to do it yourself. Click here to learn more about DIY insulation testing.
How to add insulation:
If you find that your home is not adequately insulated, here is what you’ll need to do to fix the problem:
- Identify weak areas. Common weak spots include walls, attics, and basements.
- Determine your R-value. Insulation is measured by R-value, which calculates its ability to resist heat transfer. You can find the recommended R-value for your area by checking this map.
- Choose your insulation type. Ask an associate at your local hardware store if you are unsure what type of insulation you need.
- Install the insulation. Installation could be tricky depending on the area of your home. Professional assistance may be required.
Air Treatment Heating & Cooling offers home heating and cooling services to residents throughout Fairfax County, Virginia. Our NATE-certified technicians are trained to repair and install any make or model of HVAC system. Contact us online to learn more, or call (703) 270-0881.