Energy Efficiency Through Insulation

Energy Efficiency Through Insulation

Insulation is one of the most important home improvement projects a homeowner can undertake and its main function is to provide resistance to heat flow and keep your home cool no matter how high the temperatures soar in Miami. It effectively reduces heat transfer by preventing heat from penetrating the roof and walls of your home and can therefore increase the comfort of your home immensely while also making it more energy efficient.

How insulation can make your home more energy efficient

If you plan to build a new home or do changes ranging from an upgrade to an extensive remodel on an existing house, insulation is one of the key elements in optimizing a house's energy efficiency and there are various reasons why:

Lower energy bills

Cooling (and heating) accounts for 50-70% of the energy used in the average US home due to insufficient insulation. With proper insulation in your house, heat transfer is reduced and your home can maintain a constant temperature more easily. The result? You won't have to turn on your air conditioning as much as before and are therefore using less energy. The EPA estimates that the average homeowner can save up to 15% on their heating and cooling costs after installing insulation and thus significantly increase their energy efficiency. Your own average energy savings depend on different factors; for example your local climate, the size and shape of your house, the efficiency of your A/C and your family's habits. Once your energy savings have paid for the installation cost of your insulation, energy savings go straight into your pocket and you won't be as affected by the always increasing utility rates anymore. 

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

The energy efficiency of your home not only affects you and your wallet but also the environment. Less energy usage means a decreased demand for natural gas, propane, fuel oil or electricity which means reduced greenhouse gas emissions. What is that important for and why should you care? The impact of resources like fuel and natural gas on the environment are dramatic and lead to global warming which means your A/C will have to work harder and harder every year to balance out the increasingly hot temperatures outside. Insulation is the answer in helping prevent that vicious circle.

Use of recycled materials

A sustainable approach to your building also includes looking at recycled, environment-friendly materials. Recycled insulation materials have a lower energy consumption during their production than conventional insulation materials, like blown-in insulation which is mostly made from recycled materials and strikes a good balance between high-performance and cost. However, it is important to first determine which insulation actually fits your specific needs because putting blown-in insulation just for the sake of it being recycled is not a smart choice if your house would actually benefit more from, for example, spray foam insulation which in the end would save you more energy and therefore protect the environment that way. 

Our Koala Insulation of South Miami team will gladly help you determine which is the best type of insulation for your insulation needs, wallet and the environment.