Insulation is a layer of your home that protects it from the outdoor elements. If your insulation doesn’t work correctly, it can drive up your energy costs. Here’s how to know it’s time for an insulation replacement.
Increased Energy Costs
Rising energy costs are huge indicators that you need to replace your insulation. Energy can leak through the insulation in your crawl space or attic if it has become damaged or worn. If you notice the energy bill skyrockets, you can call for an energy audit. The auditor will assess the insulation in your home and other areas that are susceptible to leaking energy.
The Presence of Pests
Unfortunately, insulation can host different creatures and bugs. This may happen without you being aware of it. Regularly inspecting the insulation will keep a family of pests from turning your insulation into a home. Animals will also leave droppings behind that will hurt the air quality of your home.
Strange Drafts
Do you find that a particular room in your house is cooler than all the others during the colder months? This is a sign that your current insulation is failing. Insulation is a buffer between the inside and the outside. When it doesn’t function correctly, its effectiveness becomes limited.
The Insulation’s Age
The insulation’s age may be a clue that it’s time to replace it. Insulation is durable, but that doesn’t mean it will last indefinitely. There are outside factors that can cause it harm. Insulation needs to remain fluffy to trap air.
Another thing to note is that we now have better technology. Insulation from 10 or 20 years ago won’t have the same advantages that we have now. Technology for insulation evolves and grows.
The Appearance of Moisture
Insulation shouldn’t become wet. Thus, finding moisture in your home poses a major threat to it. Damp insulation is the perfect environment for growing mold and mildew. Not only is this detrimental to your health, but it can also harm the insulation itself. When insulation becomes wet, it breaks down quickly because it traps water within its structure instead of air. If you find moisture in it, it’s time for an insulation replacement.
If you find that you have any or multiple of these issues, contact an insulation contractor right away. You don’t want things to become worse because you neglected problems for too long.
