NORTH KANSAS CITY Blog

Do I Have Poor Insulation? Staying Well Insulated in North Kansas City

If you’re unfamiliar with the state of the insulation in your home, you’re not alone - NAIMA (North American Insulation Manufacturers Association) estimates that about 90% of homes in the U.S. are underinsulated. While building codes and requirements are constantly shifting to become more energy-efficient, that doesn't always mean the best material was built when your home was built.

Have you been experiencing cold drafts, uneven temperatures throughout the home, or possibly even allergy-like symptoms in the morning? Insufficient insulation not only contributes to an uncomfortable household but can also increase health hazard risks because of poor indoor air quality. First, it's important to have a basic understanding of the part insulation plays in your home. Once you have a basic understanding of how the material keeps the house safe and comfortable, it may be easier to pinpoint problem areas and the signs of poor insulation.

What is Insulation?

The main purpose of insulation is to regulate heat transfer; this is the rate at which heat enters and escapes your building envelope. The material installed throughout your house significantly contributes to keeping your home comfortable and safe. It supports your HVAC system and can greatly affect how energy efficient your house is. Without properly installed insulation and air sealing, you may experience irregular temperatures, uncomfortable drafts, and an increased risk of health hazards.

While insulation is first applied to your walls, ceiling, and floors during construction, it needs to be periodically inspected for efficiency. For more information on where your home should have insulation coverage, the Department of Energy has a breakdown of areas that should have sufficiently applied material. While most insulation types may last up to 15 years, the rate of deterioration can be increased by numerous variables: weathering, damage, pest infestation, etc. Therefore, it’s important to be able to recognize the signs that your home needs updated insulation before problems worsen.

4 Signs of Poor Insulation

Drafts and Cold Spots

One of the most common signs of poor insulation is often also one of the most overlooked. The occasional draft or uncomfortable temperature may not seem like a problem at first but it could reveal a growing issue. Insulation goes hand in hand with air sealing, both of which help reduce the infiltration of outdoor air. Not only does this greatly reduce your indoor air quality, but unsealed gaps and holes in your home’s building envelope can allow pollutants like dust, pollen, and other allergens to move freely through your home and increase health risks.

Experienced insulation contractors won’t just spend their time poking around your attic - a quality North Kansas City evaluation takes them through your entire home, top to bottom, to determine the quality of insulation and air sealing. With new or updated material, you can reduce air leakage and improve temperature regulation. Otherwise, unwanted airflow can pass through your home at a rate equivalent to leaving a window or door open.

Mold Growth and Moisture

While properly installed insulation can be your first defense against a significant mold and moisture problem, old and insufficient material can have the opposite effect. When left uninspected after heavy storms or water damage, some insulation materials can pack in moisture and contribute to mold growth - this is most common with old, untreated materials. However, with the advancements of technology and research in the industry, many insulation types are equipped to resist moisture and reduce retention in your home when installed by an experienced contractor.

For example, in the summer months, North Kansas City has higher humidity rates. If an inexperienced individual tries to install insulation without properly cleaning and treating the surface, moisture can be trapped and increase the risk of mold and water damage. Many DIY insulation projects, when not advised by an industry expert or knowledgeable second party, can end up creating future problems for the household.

Higher Energy Bills

Have you noticed one room or even a whole side of the house can’t seem to stay as cool or warm as the rest of your home? If your HVAC system is putting in overtime to keep the building temperature regulated, you could have an issue with proper insulation coverage. This contributes to higher monthly bills and, eventually, maintenance costs on your HVAC system because of how often it needs to run.

Effective insulation coverage helps reduce your carbon footprint and reduces energy costs in many ways. Especially in cooler months, when every furnace in North Kansas City seems to be running, the right material prevents crucial heat from escaping through air leaks, walls, floors, and your attic. If you’re noticing a sudden increase in your heating and cooling bills, or especially your energy bills in general, it could mean the building isn’t retaining desired heat and keeping out unwanted temperatures.

Consulting a Local Expert

When it comes to keeping your home safe and comfortable, it's important to have the right team supporting you and your household. While many first-time buyers may not be aware of the importance of insulation, it's not uncommon for even long-time homeowners to have very little understanding of the material within their home. Unfortunately, insulation falls under the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality for many people, meaning problem areas can go untreated for years, running up expenses and creating an uncomfortable environment.

At Koala Insulation of North Kansas City, our team can help educate you and your household on subtle ways your home is telling you there’s a problem. Before you call Ghostbusters for unexplained drafts passing through your rooms, reach out to us for a free evaluation to determine the condition of your building’s material. Our industry experts are dedicated to keeping your home comfortable and safe while keeping your schedule and budget in mind. Contact us today to learn more about the importance of insulation and how an underinsulated house can affect you.