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3 Signs Your Home Is Under-Insulated in Corning NY

3 Signs Your Home is Under-Insulated

How good is the insulation in your home? Is it in great shape? Maybe old and out of date? Is it damaged? How are you supposed to know when your insulation isn’t up to snuff?

Most homes are not properly insulated. And although the average homeowner isn’t able to directly examine their insulation (leave that to the experts), it turns out there are some signs right under your nose that can give you a clue.

1: High Energy Bills

You saw this one coming a mile away, right? A high energy bill—most noticeable in the dead of winter and peak of summer—can be a red flag that your insulation situation is suffering.

There are other causes of high energy bills. A faulty furnace, ailing air condition system, or a failing appliance can be the culprit. Except for the furnace and air condition, however, other problems tend to affect the energy bill throughout the year. The big clue that you may have an insulation problem is when you have exceptionally large bills at the times insulation should be working the most for you—summer and winter.

If you see a sudden and drastic change in your energy bill with the change in season to winter or summer, it certainly makes sense to have your furnace or air condition checked out. But if those systems get a clean bill of health, then the next suspect on your list should be the insulation hidden in your home.

Unless you live in the mildest of climates, you’re going to see a swing in your energy consumption when seasons change. A certain amount of change should be expected. But if you feel the change in your bill is disproportionate to the change in temperature, then that’s a sign of poor insulation. Also, if you are able to look back at bills for the same period of time over the past several years and you see a significant difference from your current bills, then this is yet another clue that you may need to chase down some insulation problems.

2: Temperature Fluctuations

Have you ever moved from one room to the next and wondered why the temperature went up—or down—so much? Sometimes this is cause by a clogged vent or broken air duct, or the improper setup of your home’s ducting system. These are things that only an HVAC specialist can determine. But it’s also possible this problem is caused by improper insulation in the attic or walls.

There is a test you can perform that can be an indicator of poor wall insulation. The test is best done in the heat of summer or the coldest part of winter. Put your hand against an interior wall that “faces” the outside of the house (not a wall that divides another room). If the wall is much colder than the room in winter, or much warmer than the room in summer, then there’s a good chance that wall is not properly insulated.

If you live in a multi-level house, there may be temperature differences between the floors. There’s a good chance this has to do with how your HVAC system was set up. But there’s also a good chance this is an indicator of insufficient insulation.

3: Signs of Moisture, Mold, or Mildew

Have you noticed discoloration on a wall or ceiling? Have you seen wet spots or moisture there? Or—yikes!—are there black spots or white mold spores? These are problems that can’t be ignored. Not only are they often a sign of improper insulation, but they can cause severe damage if not addressed quickly. The health of your home—and your family—could very well depend on the steps you take next.

There are other causes of moisture, mold, and mildew than insufficient insulation. You might have a damaged roof, missing exterior trim, or an improperly constructed home. You should certainly check into these areas as you investigate the source of moisture-related problems. But there’s a very good chance that insulation is the culprit.

When improper insulation begins to let in moisture, you can end up with mold and mildew spawning in your attic, ceilings, or walls. If you start to smell or see mold, there's a chance that improper insulation may be to blame.

Even in a home that was once properly insulated, you still may have insulation problems. This is because insulation can settle or be damaged over time. It’s also possible that the home wasn’t truly insulated properly to start with—building contractors are notorious for cutting corners and meeting only minimum standards. Also, storms and other natural events can disrupt original insulation installations.

Whatever you do, don’t let moisture problems continue. Find the source, and have them repaired ASAP.

4: Bonus! Obvious Drafts

Wait—4 items on a 3-item list? Absolutely! At Koala, we want you to expect us to exceed expectations. So, here’s one more way to detect an under-insulation problem.

If you notice a nip in the air with all your windows and doors closed, that's a warning sign your home isn't properly sealed or insulated. Do some sleuthing. Put on your Sherlock hat and hunt down the source of these drafts. Point them out to an insulation expert who can offer advice on how to address the problem.

Here’s a tip on how to find those pesky drafts: Turn off all ceiling fans. Also turn your furnace, air condition, or HVAC system off. This eliminates the possibility that drafts are coming from any of these artificial sources. Take one square of single-ply toilet paper and tape it to a pencil or pen like a flag on a pole. Hold your “flag” – with the paper hanging down – still for several seconds in various places in your home. If you see the paper wave then you’re close to the source of a draft.

Where do I go from Here?

The simple answer is that the best way to know if or when your insulation needs a retrofit is to schedule an inspection by a qualified insulation expert. A local, qualified insulation expert will be well-versed in all city codes and regulations and can give expert advice on what your building may or may not need not only to be compliant but be as efficient as possible.

At Koala Insulation, our experts are well-versed in all kinds of insulation materials and installation techniques. When you book an inspection with one of our experts, they will arrive with state-of-the-art equipment to thoroughly inspect your building from top to bottom. They will provide a detailed assessment of the current conditions of your home and use their experience to recommend solutions to meet your needs.

Every building is different, so your expert may suggest a combination of installation options to best protect your home against various issues involving cold, heat, moisture, or other intrusions.

By hiring a Koala Insulation expert, you not only get a building that is protected against moisture, pests, and other issues, but you also get to benefit from the years of energy savings that professionally installed insulation will bring. Contact us now to schedule a FREE consultation and be on your way to reaping the energy-saving benefits of custom-fit, expert-installed insulation.