SOUTHWEST FLORIDA Blog

What Retrofitting Insulation Means and Why You May Need It?

Over time, you'll notice a gradual decrease in the level of comfort and indoor air quality of your home. While tasks like regularly changing your air filters, investing in a dehumidifier, or even adjusting your HVAC system's threshold can help in the short term, you may be missing a larger problem. However, the first sign for many Southwest Florida homeowners comes in the form of higher utility bills and an overworked AC unit.

In many cases, the issue with indoor air quality and temperature regulation is because of a common "out of sight, out of mind" material - your home's insulation. If you're a first-time homeowner or you're unfamiliar with the material, you may not be aware that it covers more than just your attic's floors and ceilings. Insulation is used throughout your walls, in basements and crawl spaces, and if you're in a multilevel home it's even useful throughout the floors. If you're seeing a problem with irregular temperatures, drafts, or even hazards like mold growth, it could be time to retrofit your current insulation.

What is Retrofit Insulation?

Retrofitting insulation is the process of removing old insulation to reinstall new insulation. Your home is first insulated when the building is initially constructed but because insulation deteriorates over time, it needs to be regularly updated. While some insulation material can last up to 15 years, variables like location, weathering, or other damages from things like pests can rapidly reduce its lifespan.

When you schedule an insulation evaluation from a local industry expert, their goal is to provide a better understanding of your current insulation and air sealing’s condition. Not only are they looking for areas that may need updated and retrofit insulation but they’re also checking for damage to your building’s envelope that could contribute to insulation deterioration like gaps or cracks. By retrofitting your insulation and adjusting the existing material, you can reduce potential damage, health hazards, and higher fees in the future.

How Do I Know My Home Needs to be Re-Insulated?

The main purpose of insulation is to regulate the temperature of your home by slowing heat transfer. Heat transfer is the rate at which heat escapes or enters your building - insulation is one of the first lines of defense to keep your home warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. If you start to notice that your home has hot and cold rooms or that your AC can’t keep up with the number on the thermostat, your first issue may be an under insulated building.

Unfortunately, knowing your home needs retrofit insulation isn’t always as easy as poking your head into the attic and looking around at your current insulation. At Koala Insulation of Southwest Florida, our technicians provide free evaluations where we complete a thorough walkthrough and checklist. In many cases, we use thermal imaging to get a better idea of the unseen; with this method, we can determine if there are any weak points in the walls, across the ceilings, and within the floorboards. For more signs that your building is potentially under insulated, check out our recent blog here.

Other Reasons to Retrofit Your Home

Noise Reduction

In the same way insulation slows heat transfer, it also reduces the rate at which sound moves through your building. Whether this is noise from outside traffic and pedestrians or sounds from the room next door, the material pads the insides of your walls to soften soundwaves. Noise pollution from things like car horns, a garage door opening, or the TV in the living room across the house is significantly reduced when your insulation is updated.

Mold and Pest Resistance

While many insulation materials are treated to reduce moisture retention and deter pests, old insulation can have muted effects or hide growing problems. For example, material like blown-in fiberglass becomes great nesting material for pests and small rodents if left deflated after years of deterioration. Additionally, the humidity in Florida can contribute to trapped moisture if an inexperienced installer doesn’t properly prepare the area. Having an industry expert reinsulate old or damaged insulation can significantly reduce the risk of these hazards building up in your home.

Winter Preparation

While you won’t necessarily need to worry about snow and ice in southwest Florida, it’s still crucial to have your insulation retrofitted before the winter months. The EPA estimates homeowners can save up to 15% on heating and cooling expenses when a home is properly insulated and air sealed. As mentioned earlier, insulation helps keep in the warmth during cooler months; in many cases, an under insulated building is the equivalent of leaving a door or window wide open.

Finding the Right Retrofit Experts

You’re more than likely familiar with your attic’s insulation but how confident are you in the rest of your home’s material? If you’re not the first homeowner, you may not be aware of when the last time the insulation in your walls, floors, or ceiling was updated or if there has ever been another retrofit project before you moved in. Having an under-insulated home can drive up costs, wreak havoc on your HVAC system, and increase the risk of health hazards like mold and pest infestation.

Our team of insulation experts at Koala Insulation of Southwest Florida is here to help educate you and your household on the importance of insulation and air sealing. With our free evaluations, we can provide you with a better understanding of your home's current condition, where you may need retrofit insulation and even the estimated lifespan of a retrofit project. The number one priority of our technicians is to keep your home safe and comfortable while also working with your budget. Contact our team today to learn more about retrofit insulation and what we can do for your household.