Creating tight home envelopes is one of the best ways for homeowners in Festus, MO, to reduce their heating and cooling-related energy use. You can do this by sealing up cracks and gaps in building materials, installing high-quality windows and doors, and adding weatherstripping. However, installing adequate insulation is also a critical step in preventing energy waste. Read on to find out why insulation is important for HVAC efficiency.
HVAC Efficiency Ratings Don’t Mean Much in Inefficient Homes
There are definite benefits to buying a furnace and air conditioner with high efficiency ratings. These appliances convert more of the fuel they use into cold air or heat energy than options with lower ratings. However, having high-performing HVAC equipment in a poorly insulated home will still leave you with higher-than-normal energy bills and all-around substandard HVAC performance.
Keep Hot and Cold Air Out
During the winter months, having adequate insulation will keep cold outdoor air from seeping in and increasing the amount of work that your furnace, boiler, or heat pump must do. In summer, insulation will keep hot air out when outdoor temperatures rise. Year-round, your HVAC system will have a much easier time creating and maintaining the indoor conditions that you and other building residents desire.
Insulation Also Prevents Conditioned Air From Escaping
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), having high-quality insulation with sufficiently high R-values installed could cut your heating and cooling-related energy use by as much as 15%. Not only does insulation keep outside air out of your home, but it also prevents your conditioned air from seeping through building materials. Your home will retain more of the heat that your heater produces and more of the cold air distributed by your heat pump or AC.
Prevent Stress-Related HVAC Problems
HVAC systems in poorly insulated buildings work a lot harder than HVAC systems in homes with tight envelopes. This accelerates normal wear and could lead to shorter equipment lifespans. With less work, less stress, and fewer mid-season breakdowns, your HVAC system can maintain high levels of efficiency all the time.
Your HVAC system will run shorter heating and cooling cycles and less of them. You’ll save money on your monthly energy bills, and you’ll sidestep the high costs of fixing stress-related problems.
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
Insulation creates an additional barrier against the outside elements. It blocks out extreme temperatures and has a filtering effect on airborne particulates. Quality insulation can additionally have a positive impact on your indoor air quality (IAQ). When paired with weatherstripping and other envelope-tightening measures, it will leave you with less pollen, dust, and other outdoor allergens floating around. Not only can this help residents breathe a bit easier, but it will also extend the lifespan of HVAC air filters, keep your air ducts cleaner, and limit the risk of airflow obstructions.
Establish Another Barrier Against Outdoor Humidity
Installing insulation can also help with indoor humidity control. Just as insulation acts as a barrier against outdoor allergens, it also acts as a barrier against outdoor moisture. This makes it easier for air conditioners, heat pumps, whole-house dehumidifiers, and condensing furnaces to regulate indoor humidity during operation. It also prevents the development of mold and mildew that might otherwise compromise your IAQ and impact the performance of your heating and cooling equipment.
How to Choose the Right Insulation for HVAC Efficiency
You can get help choosing the right insulation for meeting your efficiency goals by scheduling a home energy audit. You may need to add more insulation to your attic and crawl spaces or just behind your siding. Your home energy audit could also reveal the need for insulating materials with higher R values.
Insulation loses more than half of its insulating abilities when wet. As such, it’s vital to address problems like damaged siding, roof leaks, leaky windows and doors, and plumbing leaks as well. Working with a reputable insulation installer will help you get the most from this home improvement. Licensed professionals can even help you take advantage of the generous tax rebates and other incentives for home efficiency improvements offered under the Affordable Care Act of 2022.
We help homeowners in Festus reduce their carbon footprints and lower their home energy bills with efficiency recommendations, high-quality HVAC products, and superior HVAC services. We offer heater and air conditioner installation, maintenance, and repairs. We also provide fireplaces, water heaters, ductwork, and sheet metal fabrication.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact Bone Heating & Cooling today.
