TWIN CITIES WEST Blog

How to Know Your Home is Under Insulated

The amount of insulation in your home is essential to your comfort all year long. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware that their house is underinsulated. Does it seem like your house is always too hot or too cold? Inadequate insulation might be to blame.

The ‘building envelope” is what separates your home from the outside environment. It includes walls, windows, and doors. When any one section of the envelope is compromised -- like the insulation -- your home is more exposed to the elements.

If you’re experiencing any of the following warning signs, consider having your insulation evaluated by a knowledgeable contractor.

Uneven Temperatures

A poorly functioning HVAC system is typically blamed for hot and cool spots in the house, and in some cases, that can be a problem. But inadequate insulation is one of the biggest causes of fluctuating indoor temperatures.

Without enough insulation in the walls or attic, rooms absorb the surrounding temperature. This means that an underinsulated room is more vulnerable to the hot or cold conditions outside.

Many homes have that one troublesome room that gets too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter. More insulation just might be the solution.

Your House is Drafty

Perhaps you’ve reinforced the seals around all doors and windows, but you can still feel a draft blowing in the house.

All houses, especially older ones, have cracks and imperfections where air can get in. These small cracks also let your temperature-controlled air out.

You may not be able to find and repair all of these openings, but making sure your home is properly insulated can help to stop air leaks.

Interior Walls Are Hot or Cold

Put your hand on the wall. What do you feel? Ideally, you shouldn’t notice anything except the solid surface. But if the wall feels warmer or cooler than the rest of the room, that’s a big indication of improper heat transfer. Even cold or hot spots on the wall could point to an insulation problem.

High Energy Bills

Does it always seem like your energy bills are higher than they should be? You might blame the kids for leaving the door open or complain about the setting on the thermostat, but under insulation might be the real problem.

Without insulation, your home’s heating and cooling systems have to work harder to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. This means more energy use and higher utility bills.

Mold and Mildew

Insulation serves as a barrier against moisture, as well as temperature fluctuations. Old or inadequate amounts of insulation can’t fully prevent rain or condensation from seeping into the spaces between interior and exterior walls where mold is likely to grow.

It may be time to replace older insulation with new blown-in or batt insulation that can keep moisture out.

Don’t Wait—Insulate!

Contact Koala Insulation for a free insulation evaluation. We offer insulation removal and installation services throughout the Twin Cities area.

Our trained technicians are experienced with all types of insulation, including batt, blown-in, and spray foam insulation. We work with homeowners, contractors, restoration companies, and more to ensure that every building is as comfortable and as energy efficient as possible.