In the quest for energy efficiency, homeowners often explore a wide range of energy saving measures, from upgrading appliances to LED lighting. While these changes can save some energy, if you are going to make a noticeable drop in your energy costs in the winter and even into the summer, it will require finding some more impactful ways to reduce the energy required to keep your home running, comfortably.
One of the most significant contributors to energy consumption in any home is its heating and cooling system — so finding ways to reduce the use of these systems without sacrificing how comfortable your home is is the key to saving energy (and thus, money). Insulation and air sealing offer a robust approach to maintaining a comfortable, energy-efficient home, and provide many other benefits, too.
How Insulation Saves Energy
Simply put, insulation acts as a thermal barrier that slows down the transfer of heat in or out of your home. In the winter months, it keeps the warmth generated by your heating system inside. With a properly insulated home, your heating system no longer has to work twice as hard to replace the escaping heat.
In the summer, insulation plays a vital role in keeping the heat out and maintaining a cooler indoor environment. Properly calculated and professionally installed insulation leads to reduced energy consumption but also extends the lifespan of your HVAC system, leading to fewer repairs and a longer life expectancy for the equipment.
Air Sealing’s Effect on Home Comfort and Efficiency
Insulation keeps your hard earned energy (in the form of heat) from leaking out through the materials your home is built from, and air sealing plugs up the tiny holes that all that energy is freely escaping out of. Many homes have hidden gaps and cracks, particularly in areas like attics, basements, and around windows and doors. These openings allow for the unwanted exchange of indoor and outdoor air, which can introduce uncomfortable temperatures and external pollutants such as dust, pollen, wildfire smoke, chemicals, and anything else that might be in the air here in Binghamton. Sealing these leaks is vital to maintaining a consistent indoor environment, free from external temperature fluctuations and pollutants, thus further improving both energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Professional Insight in Insulation and Air Sealing
Even though insulation and air sealing prevent energy loss in two different ways, they are more effective when they can be completed together. This is best done by a professional insulation contractor and air sealing specialist, like Insulation Man. As building scientists, our team has specialized training in how buildings operate, and more importantly, how heat and energy moves throughout a building. With an air sealed and insulated home, you will also notice a number of other benefits in addition to energy savings, such as:
- Fewer indoor drafts
- Cleaner breathing air
- More consistent temperatures throughout the home
- Greater soundproofing from outside noise
Conclusion: Save Energy and Stay Comfortable in Your Home, with Insulation Man
At Insulation Man, we are committed to helping Binghamton homeowners achieve the perfect balance of comfort and energy efficiency. The first step in this process is to assess the existing insulation of your home, along with the other areas and systems of your home that can contribute to its overall comfort and efficiency. With a home energy assessment, you will get the answers you need to address comfort concerns and identify where you are losing the most energy, and we will outline a customized plan to improve both aspects of your home.
By trusting experts like Insulation Man, you are not just making a home improvement; you are investing in a sustainable, cost-effective future for your home. Contact us today to discover how we can transform your home into a bastion of comfort and efficiency.
