SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Blog

Old Insulation Damages Your Florida Home & Increases Monthly Expenses

Having regularly evaluated and updated insulation in your home is crucial to a safe and comfortable home. Especially if you’ve recently experienced heavy weather, leaks, or other harm to the home, your insulation material needs to be evaluated for deterioration and damage. The material significantly contributes to your home’s ability to regulate temperature, reduce health risks, and lower costs. If the insulation is left for too long, it’s not there to support against those factors and can even potentially contribute to them in some worst cases.

If you’re experiencing irregular temperatures, poor indoor air quality, or uncomfortable drafts, poor insulation and air sealing may be to blame. Our team at Koala Insulation of Southwest Florida understands that insulation isn’t a common trivia topic to be knowledgeable on. As such, our experienced professionals have put together a breakdown of some common hazards and expenses your home could be at risk of if you have old and disrupted insulation material.

Increases Health Concerns

Poor Indoor Air Quality

Quality insulation and air sealing help prevent outdoor pollutants, allergens, and other debris from entering your home. If you have deteriorated material, cracks, and holes that aren't maintained throughout your home, you may experience poor indoor air quality. This leads to increased respiratory irritation, allergy-like symptoms, and other health risks. This is especially important to consider if anyone in your household has respiratory conditions like asthma.

Mold Growth

When old insulation material is damaged by water or moisture, it could lead to mold growth. Some materials are chemically treated to be an effective moisture barrier or resist moisture retention. However, if you’ve had significant damage from severe weather, it could lead to hidden water damage if the insulation isn’t evaluated or removed. Additionally, many homeowners that attempt to accomplish DIY insulation installation don’t properly clear the area, trapping moisture beneath new material and creating a bigger problem.

Higher Humidity

If moisture is trapped by insulation material, it can also increase the humidity in your home. Whether it’s exposed to leaks or condensation, old material in your home may be contributing to uncomfortable moisture levels. Moist air encourages the growth of mold and can also lead to pests like dust mites or the growth of other bacteria and viruses. If it affects your building envelope, the deteriorated wood can encourage termites, carpenter ants, and other foundation damaging insects.

Increased Expenses

Dangerous Material

If you haven't inspected the home's insulation, you may not be aware of potentially dangerous material. Before the discovery of its harmful effects, asbestos was used as a common insulation material until the 1980s. Asbestos particles are toxic dust that can lead to a number of health risks, primarily the development of mesothelioma. While not as toxic, old fiberglass insulation can also release particles when disturbed. Because fiberglass is made from molten glass that's spun into tiny fibers, the particles can irritate your skin, eyes, and throat if inhaled. If you're unfamiliar with how old the material is in your home, contact a professional for an experienced evaluation. If left for too long, not only can it increase the risk of health conditions, but removing and replacing the material can be more constantly because of additional safety precautions.

Irregular Temperatures

The primary function of insulation is to regulate the temperature in your home and improve climate control. With deteriorated, damaged, or improperly installed material, the insulation is less effective against heat loss. The material is supposed to reduce the rate of heat transfer, which is when heat enters and exits through your building. If your HVAC system is having to constantly run to make up for lost heat in the winter or too much in the summer, your monthly heating and cooling bills will be through the roof.

HVAC System Strain

Without support from properly installed insulation and quality air sealing, your HVAC system is constantly attempting to keep up with the air that’s escaping and entering your home. In the winter, heat rises and escapes through your attic, replaced by cold air coming in from air leaks. In the summer, deteriorated insulation isn’t able to effectively block the heat from entering. In both instances, your system is overworked in an effort to meet the desired temperature on the thermostat. Not only does this increase your monthly energy usage and bills, but could also potentially lead to higher maintenance costs as the HVAC system is pushed to its limits throughout the year.

Protect Your Home with Updated Insulation

While most insulation falls into an “out of sight, out of mind” category for many homeowners, it’s crucial to have a system in place to regularly evaluate and replace the material. A lack of quality insulation and air sealing can lead to discomfort and potential health risks in most homes. While it’s particularly important to check the material after you’ve discovered a leak or other exposure damage, knowing the signs of poor insulation can be the preventative measures needed to save you time and money in the long run.

Koala Insulation of Southwest Florida is dedicated to helping our community become more energy efficient while remaining cost-effective and comfortable. Our team offers free evaluations so you and your household can make educated decisions based on a thorough review of the current condition of the home's insulation. We're determined to find a solution that not only solves your temperature regulation problems but also considers your schedule and budget. Contact Koala Insulation of Southwest Florida to learn more about the benefits of insulation and schedule your free evaluation.