NEWARK Blog

Do's & Don'ts of Insulating Your Home

Insulation plays a critical role in regulating indoor temperatures and enhancing the efficiency of residential HVAC equipment. While any blown-in or batt insulation will increase a home’s thermal efficiency, adding more can be a challenge if you’re unfamiliar with best practices for doing so. The following guide offers a closer look at key insulating steps and what to avoid.

Do:

Look for existing insulation.

In general, adding new insulating materials to existing ones will increase its overall R-value, the measure of its thermal resistance. As long as the existing insulation is dry and free of mold, mildew, or signs of pest activity, combining older and newer materials is a cost-effective way to strengthen your home’s thermal envelope. However, worn-out or damaged materials must be removed, as these will reduce the efficiency of newer blown-in or batt insulation.

Install radiant and moisture barriers.

Although insulation exposed to moisture will quickly dry out, repeated exposure can lower its overall R-value and reduce its effectiveness. In addition, condensation can accumulate in uninsulated areas such as pipes, water heaters, and exterior doors, leading to a significant heat loss in the winter. Polyethylene moisture barriers can reduce or eliminate condensation and heat loss in the winter, while radiant barriers have a similar effect during warmer weather.

Don’t:

Block vents or ducts.

Sufficient airflow is key to preventing condensation and ensuring good indoor air quality. Soffit and gable vents admit fresh air from outdoors, while indoor air vents and ducting allow fresh air to circulate throughout a building. Blocking these can cause moisture to accumulate in insulation, lowering its efficiency and raising the risk of mold and mildew growth.

Compact insulation.

A common mistake during insulation installation is forcing multiple layers of material like batt insulation into a confined area in the belief that this will increase thermal efficiency. However, this results in fewer total inches of insulation, thus reducing the insulated area's total R-value.

If you want to increase your home’s thermal efficiency with new or upgraded insulation, get in touch with Koala Insulation of Newark in Delaware. Serving residents throughout New Castle County, they offer the latest in blown-in, foam, and batt insulation along with professional installation and removal services. They’ll tailor solutions to your needs and preferences, and they back all work with a limited lifetime warranty. Call (302) 273-8476 to request a free quote and visit the website for more information on their services.