TEXAS HILL COUNTRY Blog

Is Your San Marcos Texas home insulated properly?

Everyone needs a comfortable, well-insulated home to make their stay indoors worth it. Thanks to various insulation companies like Koala Insulation of Texas Hill Country, you can have a well-insulated home. A well-insulated home increases your home's energy efficiency but also prevents insects, dust, or pollen from invading your space.? 

It also ensures good humidity indoors and reduces noise pollution. You can also save money on energy bills in a well-insulated home thanks to its energy efficiency.? 

However, not all homes in the USA are well insulated. Homes that are not well-insulated are exposed to mold, moisture, humidity problems, and ice dams during winter.? 

So is your home well insulated? This guide explains the signs of an under-insulated home and how Koala Insulation provides efficient, friendly, and cost-effective services for all your insulation needs.

Signs of Under-Insulated Home 

An under-insulated home comes with many problems that can be costly for homeowners. Some signs of under-insulated homes include: 

High Energy Bills 

One of the first notable signs your house is not well insulated is having high energy bills. Remember, if your house has poor insulation, your appliances will work harder than they should. For example, your HVAC will work extra hard to keep your home warm during the winter and cool during the hot summer months in Austin.

On the other hand, your air conditioner will also struggle to keep humidity and unwanted heat indoors. In the long run, you’ll have to pay more electricity bills as your power consumption increases. You can keep track of your utility bills for some months to notice the difference in the consumption rate. 

Cold Surfaces? 

Your walls, floors, or ceiling can become extra cold which is unusual. You can feel this by touching the walls or floors. Remember, these surfaces should remain warm and dry throughout the seasons. 

If the house is not well insulated, it will be colder as the external weather penetrates them, affecting the temperatures. 

The cold surfaces mean the heat from the HVAC escapes throughout the house because of a lack of insulation. Additionally, the warm air getting in won't stay warm after getting into contact with the cold surfaces. So, you won't have favorable temperatures in the house to enjoy, and the furnace must work overtime. 

Insects and Dust Indoors? 

An under-insulated home gives insects a chance to invade your space. Insects and dust can come through the holes in the walls or broken windows.? 

Dealing with insects such as bugs or mice is never easy and can make you feel uneasy in your home. These little pests can also create some nasty damage.? 

Dust can trigger allergic reactions and make your house look untidy and uncared for. Insects and dust can also destroy your appliances and important documents. You can use a thermal leak detector to identify and work on the holes in your walls and work on them. 

Mold Growth 

Nothing is as frustrating as having mold in the house, as it can make you and your family sick and is difficult to remove. Mold can be on your walls, floors, or ceiling, mostly because of dampness.? 

Expect to experience respiratory problems, and for those with asthma, their condition can worsen. Also, some of your family members can have runny eyes, nose, and sore throat due to allergic reactions.? 

Ice Dams? 

Icicles might form in your house, and ice dams will fall off, leaving the occupants in danger. Icicles result from escaping heat from the attic that melts the snow on your roof. After that, the water freezes along the eaves after meeting the cold air. Since you can't scrap away the ice dams for fear of damaging the shingles on your roof, it's best to insulate the home. 

Internal Moisture 

An under-insulated home can have internal moisture on the windows or sliding downpipes. Condensation can build up if the walls are colder and the temperatures fluctuate. Such can make exposed pipes burst, leak, or freeze when it’s colder. The moisture can also cause mold buildups which can be a health hazard. 

Noise Pollution 

You may not be getting a peaceful rest in your home because of the noise from the surrounding areas. This is because an under-insulated house allows noise into the house, which makes it difficult to cope.? 

You can’t work from home if your neighbor keeps playing loud music or sleep well if your neighborhood is noisy. However, better insulation prevents all these, and every moment at home will be worth it.? 

Temperature Fluctuations 

When your home is under-insulated, temperature fluctuations will be common. Usually,? the airflow depends on the difference between the air outside and the air inside the house because of the natural draft.? 

However, when some holes or openings affect insulation, it will affect airflow. So you’ll not have the desired temperatures indoors as it keeps fluctuating. Sometimes the air can be too high, comfortable, or too cold. But if you've got a well-insulated home, this will be a thing of the past. 

What To Do If Your Home is Under-Insulated 

If you’re experiencing any of the above problems because of an under-insulated home, consider doing the following: 

Have Koala Insulation of Texas Hill Country Install high-performance insulation in your home.

One of the best solutions to an under-insulated home is to insulate it properly using better or new insulation. The areas you should check if they're properly insulated are: 

• If it's an unfinished attic, ensure the space between the floor joist and under it is well insulated. Extend the insulation to the attic access door when necessary.? This will ensure equal air distribution in the attic and that you experience non of the above issues. 

However, insulate between the studs, roof, wall rafters, and ceiling if it's a finished attic room. Also, bring insulation to the joist space.? 

• Don’t forget to insulate the floors, windows, doors, and anywhere you feel needs insulation. 

Repair Damaged Insulation 

Alternatively, you can repair the damaged insulation contributing to uncomfortable temperatures or humidity in the house. Contact Koala Insulation to help with insulation removal and repair, and enjoy a healthy home. It is recommended to remove damaged insulation and install new insulation throughout the areas.

Types of Insulation to Make Your Home Well-Insulated 

Improve the insulation of your house by installing the following types of insulation: 

Spray Foam Insulation 

Spray foam is a good insulation that's available in different types. You can opt for open-cell spray foam or closed-cell spray foam insulation. It's a better choice as it's durable, has a high R-value, and acts as a vapor and air barrier.? 

Blown-in insulation 

You can also use loose-fill fiberglass, cellulose, or rock wool blown-in insulations. This type of insulation is a good energy saver. It offers fire protection and soundproofing benefits. It also reduces condensation, ensuring your house remains comfortable all year.? 

Batt Insulation 

Also, consider repairing or installing new insulations in your home using batt insulation. Batt insulation is fire retardant, noise-proof, and affordable.? 

Remember to choose the right insulation that meets your house needs. Whether you’re in a hot, humid climate or a dry, cold climate, Koala Insulation of Texas Hill Country delivers solutions to make any home more comfortable.

The Benefit of Having a Well-Insulated Home 

If your home is well insulated, it will be a comfortable, healthy place for your family to stay dry, cool, and comfortable even during the hottest months of the year.

Some of the benefits of a well-insulated home include the following: 

Low Utility Bills 

Your utility bills will be consistent if the house is well-insulated. So you won't have rising energy bills that affect most homes. The insulation will prevent your house from getting too hot or cold during different seasons. Your appliances will not struggle to keep the house comfortable to stay in. 

It helps Conserve the Environment 

Most people are working towards reducing their carbon footprint by living sustainably. A well-insulated house can improve the environment by reducing thermal energy consumption.? 

Remember production of most thermal energy results in carbon dioxide emissions which affects the world's temperature. When your appliances do not use much energy to work, you help conserve the environment. 

Improves Your Home Resale Value 

A well-insulated home improves the value of your home. It also makes it look cared for and comfortable. If you plan to sell your home, this is the best decision, as it will help you attract top buyers willing to pay more. The buyers won't have a bargaining point if you use top-quality insulation, which is a good selling point. 

Good Money-Saver Strategy 

You won't have to pay high electricity bills or repair damaged surfaces in the home because of better insulation. Your hospital trips and medication costs will also reduce as a well-insulated home can’t allow dust and mold growth.? 

If you don’t have to pay for all these expenses, you’ll save good money at the end of the year, which can help with other things at home. 

Work with Koala Insulation of Texas Hill County 

As other people around you are still pondering whether to insulate their homes properly, make the bold step and enjoy having a comfortable home. A well-insulated home will enable you to pay lower utility bills and reduce your carbon footprint and expenses.? 

Work with Koala insulation and enjoy the above benefits in your house. We can help you with insulation removal, repair, and insulation installation.? 

Our experts also understand how to work with different types of insulation, like spray foam insulation, batt insulation, and blown-in insulation. Contact us whenever you want to improve your home value.