How Much Insulation Does an Older Home Really Need?

If you own a home in the Greater Baltimore area you have probably noticed that some rooms never seem to stay comfortable. Maybe your upstairs feels like it is extremely hot in the summer or your heating system seems to run all the time in the winter. While there can be reasons for this one of the most common reasons is that your home simply does not have enough insulation.

Many homes that were built 30, 40 or 50 years ago were insulated according to the building standards of that time. The problem is that the insulation recommendations today are much different. What was considered enough insulation decades ago often falls short of what’s needed to keep a home comfortable and energy efficient today.

Has Your Attic Insulation Kept Up?

Your attic is one of the places where your home can lose heated or cooled air. In fact it is often the area that we recommend homeowners check.

For homes in the Greater Baltimore area the U.S. Department of Energy recommends that the attic insulation levels should be between R-49 and R-60. Many older homes that we inspect are below that range. Some homes still have a few inches of insulation left after years of settling while other homes have insulation that has been damaged by moisture, pests or previous work done in the attic.

Adding insulation to reach the recommended levels today can make a difference in how your home feels.

Signs Your Home Could Use Insulation

You do not have to climb into your attic to know that something is not right. There are usually a signs that your insulation is not doing its job anymore.

You might notice that certain rooms are always warmer or colder than the rest of the house. Your heating and cooling system may seem like it is constantly running. Your home never feels quite comfortable. You might get energy bills or you might feel cold drafts during the winter or you might have hot ceilings in the summer. These are all signs that your attic insulation needs attention.

If your home was built decades ago and has never had an insulation upgrade it is worth having it checked even if you are not experiencing problems yet.

More Than Lower Energy Bills

Most people think about insulation as a way to save money on heating and cooling and that is certainly a big benefit.. Homeowners are often surprised by how much more comfortable their home becomes after adding insulation.

The attic insulation helps keep temperatures consistent from room to room. It reduces the strain on your heating and cooling equipment. It helps your home stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. It can even help reduce noise.

It is one of those home improvements that you notice every day not just when the utility bill arrives.

Every Home Is Different

There is not a one-size-fits-all answer for how insulation your home needs. The age of your house the type of insulation that is already installed and the condition it is, in all play a role.

At Koala Insulation of Greater Baltimore Area we perform insulation evaluations so homeowners know exactly what they have and what they actually need. Sometimes adding insulation is enough. Other times removing damaged insulation before installing new material provides the best long-term results.

If you have been wondering why your home never seems comfortable as it should be your insulation may be the missing piece. A simple attic inspection can help determine whether an upgrade could improve comfort, energy costs and help your home perform better all year long.