ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE Blog

Should Albuquerque Residents Replace Insulation When Remodeling?

The Benefits of Insulation

Insulation is crucial in improving your home’s climate control. The material slows heat transfer, which is the rate at which heat moves through a structure. The insulation that is found throughout the home is installed with important guidelines in mind based on code requirements, your climate zone, and the specific needs of the house. The efficiency of the material that is used for insulation is measured by its R-value, also known as resistance value; generally, a higher R-value means better resistance.

However, many homeowners aren’t aware of the additional benefits insulation can provide to their house. Updated insulation acts as a vapor and moisture barrier, reduces noise between rooms, floors, and the outside, and can also improve indoor air quality. Upgrading your insulation and air sealing during a remodel can significantly contribute to improved temperature regulation, reduce energy costs, and increase the comfort and safety of your home.

Why You Should Reinsulate Your Home During a Remodel

Access to Older Insulation

One of the best times to access hard-to-reach insulation is when you’re already planning on repainting, taking down drywall, or repairing any damages on the building envelope. For example, when you need to retrofit insulation in the walls, you may need to remove drywall or a small piece of the wall in order to reach the material. When you're already planning on repairing these spaces, there's less concern about the impact of the existing structure when updating the material.

When working in crawl spaces, the crevices of your attic, and around your wallboards, you should take the extra step to inspect the insulation in these areas since they tend to fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” mindset. While it’s possible for you to calculate the average R-value for materials like batts, it’s also necessary to look at the condition of the insulation to ensure that it’s working properly. Check for signs of moisture, pests, and other damages or deflation in your insulation. These are not only indicators that you need to remove and replace the material as soon as possible, but they can also reveal bigger problems like water damage, infestation, or significant air leaks which are extremely damaging to your home and could be a potential risk to your health.

Reduces Health Risks

Checking your insulation during a remodel is crucial to protecting you and your household from potential health risks and hazards. As mentioned earlier, when you or an insulation technician inspect the material, it’s necessary to look out for signs of damage and deterioration. While many insulation materials can last up to 15 years, there are a number of variables that increase the rate of deterioration such as water or pest damage. Discovering moisture or pest nests can point you in the direction of larger problems such as leaks, structural damage, and infestation.

During your home renovation, it’s important to keep an eye out for previously hidden damages in areas that may initially go unnoticed. Upgraded insulation and air sealing can significantly reduce the risk of damages to your home by improving the quality of material and reducing cracks, holes, and openings in the structure. For example, air sealing in your home prevents air leaks while also reducing the entrance of allergens, bacteria, and other outdoor pollutants that can be potentially dangerous. This also assists the vapor barrier created by insulation by reducing incoming moisture and condensation from areas like your ceiling, floors, and exterior walls.

Reduces Energy Costs

Finally, you’re most likely taking the time to remodel in an effort to make a positive return on your home investments. Whether it’s to increase your home’s value, improve the energy efficiency of the house, or reduce costs with upgraded products, insulation can be a great way to assist your home. While the biggest effect of proper insulation is reducing your energy costs it can also assist in other factors to increase your home's value as well.

When your home has deteriorated or poorly installed insulation, unwanted heat comes in during the summer, and desired warmth escapes throughout the winter. As a result, your HVAC system has to work harder to ensure that the temperature on the thermostat is met. Not only does this drastically increase your heating and cooling bills but it can also lead to higher maintenance fees because your HVAC system has to be constantly working. Insulation helps your home maintain climate control, temperature regulation, and indoor air quality which in turn lowers your HVAC needs and energy costs, even during extreme temperatures throughout the year.

Consult Local Industry Experts for Your Next Project

One of the best advantages you can take while you’re improving your home is to look into the current condition of your insulation. Evaluating your material during a remodel project gives you the chance to access older insulation, reduce health risks and hazards, and lower your energy costs. Especially if you’re in the middle of a major renovation, taking the chance to replace deteriorated insulation can increase the potential return on investment.

At Koala Insulation of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, our team of industry experts provides free evaluations to help you and your household not only make informed decisions but also increase your savings. By taking a closer look at the current condition of your home’s insulation and air sealing, you can prioritize pain points while also taking into account your schedule and budget. For more information on how improved insulation can contribute to your remodeling projects, contact Koala Insulation of Albuquerque and Santa Fe and schedule your free evaluation.