FORT BEND Blog

Debunking Common Insulation Myths

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Whether you use batt or blown-in insulation, it is one of the most important features of your home. It protects you from the elements and saves you money all at once. Because this material is so crucial, it's important to understand how it works. This guide clarifies a few common misconceptions about all types of insulation. 

3 Common Misconceptions About Insulation

1. It Lasts Forever

While most people seem to believe that, once installed, insulation doesn't ever need to be replaced, the truth is that most types of insulation remain effective for a maximum of 20 to 30 years. During that time, blown-in insulation can settle and batt insulation can degrade, making both of them less efficient. By the end of their service life, these types of insulation are providing minimal help, and waiting to replace them could end up costing you lots of money on your energy bill.

2. It Only Helps in Winter

It's easy to understand how insulation functions like a thick coat during winter, trapping heat inside and sealing your home off from the cold weather outdoors. But winter isn't the only time that your insulation is stabilizing the indoor temperatures. In fact, it protects your home all year. During spring and summer, the heat from the sun can raise the temperature of your roof to over 100 degrees, even when the temperature outside is nowhere near that. Good insulation reflects that heat back outside, rather than allowing it to come inside. This keeps your house cooler during warm months.

3. Insulation and Ventilation Are at Odds

It may seem counter intuitive, but a home needs both effective insulation and effective ventilation in order to function best. Insulation helps stabilize your indoor temperatures, but ventilation is necessary for flushing moisture and keeping your indoor air quality high. If too much moisture builds up, it can lead to mold and rot, which can destroy your insulation or make it less efficient.