WEST HOUSTON Blog

5 Common Places You’re Losing Heat In Southeastern Texas

In the U.S., about 90% of homes have higher heating and cooling bills caused by poor insulation and improper sealing. ENERGY STAR estimates that improving coverage could save an average of 15% in residential houses on a national scale. 

While the statistics are a helpful starting point, they don’t take into account your home’s unique needs. Instead, you can use them as a beginning number to put into perspective how insulation could improve your monthly savings. First, you need to understand how older, damaged material is negatively impacting your environment.

Insulation is installed to reduce the rate of heat transfer, slowing the movement of heat through a structure. Air sealing works closely with insulation to improve indoor air quality while reducing air leaks that could create a drafty, uncomfortable environment. While you may be aware of the importance of regularly updating the material in your attic, there are many other places that are easy spaces for heat to escape.

5 Areas in Your Home That Contribute to Heat Loss

1. Unsealed Openings

Air leaks in your home are gaps, holes, and openings that can be found throughout your building envelope. These are most commonly found around outside access points like window sills and door jambs. Poor air sealing around these spaces accounts for up to 30% of the heat loss in a building. 

The first step to reducing these air leaks is to check doors, windows, and other outdoor access points for proper sealing. However, there are many hidden cracks and crevices that allow for conditioned air and heat to escape every day. 

Talk to a local industry professional to benefit from a trained eye that can locate untouched areas you’re unintentionally neglecting. Well-maintained weatherstripping and caulking noticeable spaces is a great habit to get into, but this step will only take you so far. Even seemingly insignificant areas need to be taken care of quickly and efficiently to reduce energy costs.

1. Underground Areas

Your home’s basement and crawl spaces are contenders for the second worst on the list of common places to lose heat. They’re where insulation professionals often discover the most hidden air leaks. The basement alone is responsible for an average of 20% of escaped air. This average is exponentially worse for unfinished basements, where cement walls and underfloor spaces need to be covered in quality material to prevent unregulated heat transfer. 

You’ll feel the worst of the effects during the summer and winter when extreme temperatures can easily create an uncomfortable environment. Add sufficient air sealing and properly installed insulation on the walls and ceiling in a basement or crawl space to reduce your heating and cooling fees. Local experts at Koala Insulation of West Houston can fix material surrounding equipment like exposed pipes and wires to additionally improve the safety of the area. 

1. Under Floorboards

Did you know insulation can be found right below your feet? Although underfloor insulation is one of the most significant victims of “out of sight, out of mind” material, it’s just as important as the rest of the insulation in your home. 

This space plays a very important role in keeping you comfortable; 10% of heat is lost through floors that don’t have effective coverage and properly installed material. While new and upgraded insulation won’t necessarily have a “warming” effect on the floors, the material does reduce the frigid feeling in your toes when temperatures start to drop. 

In addition to reducing heat loss, underfloor insulation is also a crucial vapor barrier. When you lose heat in this space, moisture can condense from the ground and lower floors. If ignored or unnoticed, you're at risk of problems like mold growth or warped wood. Maintain the space to reduce potential hazards and damages throughout the year on top of improving monthly bills. 

1. Exterior and Interior Walls

The insulation within the walls of a building also gets neglected because of its hidden nature. As insulation deteriorates, you’ll begin to feel cold spots, drafts, and irregular temperatures from room to room. Without proper insulation, you’ll lose up to 35% of heat in the house. 

The main issue is that exterior walls are in direct contact with the outdoor air. Improper coverage reduces the material’s ability to properly regulate temperature. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, it’s time to schedule a free evaluation with West Houston area experts. Our team uses industry methods such as thermal imaging to inspect quality, coverage, and deflation in these hidden spaces without damaging your space. 

Heat isn't the only issue freely moving through the space; noise and airflow can also be an issue from neglected material. This means you shouldn't only focus on the exterior and basement walls. Interior framed walls are another major culprit. Managing insulation inside all of these areas reduces sound, improves temperature regulation, and supports the climate control systems in your home.

1. Attic Space & Upper Floors

Finally, you're most likely familiar with the insulation that can be found in your attic. In this area, you can typically see the batts or spray foam that fills spaces between wall beams and ceiling joists. You can also more easily detect deflation in loose fill that covers the floor. 

However, while you may be aware that the space needs maintenance, are you familiar with the warning signs that indicate a sooner evaluation? Hidden damages like moisture, infestation, and other deterioration can prematurely make the material less effective. This increases the risk of discomfort, health hazards, and energy waste. 

Making regular adjustments to your insulation can help uncover these issues before they start to weigh on your health and expenses. Koala Insulation of West Houston offers free evaluations so you can find solutions that work within your budget and schedule to make your environment a comfortable space again. 

Improve Your Home’s Thermal Barrier With Help From Southeastern Texas Experts

Heat loss from air leaks and poorly insulation spaces are contributing to energy waste and higher bills every month. Our team of insulation experts is dedicated to finding solutions for our community that are both cost-effective and energy-efficient to improve your comfort, safety, and savings.

Contact your local experts at Koala Insulation of West Houston to schedule your free evaluation today and learn more about what you might be missing.