When we're trying to prepare our homes for the winter cold, one tactic we turn to is insulation. When you have enough in the right places around your house, you have a much easier time staying warm.
But what about in the summer? Usually, people are trying to cool their house in the summer, not keep heat in. Does that mean insulation is useless in the summer?
Definitely not! Insulation is just as important in the summer as in the winter. As strange as it sounds, insulation is doing the same job during both seasons. It just has a different result depending on the weather.
How Insulation Works
Insulation works on the principle that hot air will try to move where it's colder until the temperatures are equal. In the winter, the hot air in your home tries to reach the cold air outdoors. In the summer, the hot air outdoors tries to reach the cold air indoors. No matter which way the hot air is moving, insulation slows it down. The thicker the insulation you have, the slower the hot air is able to move.
Choosing the Right Insulation
When you are choosing an insulation for your home, you'll want to look at the insulation's R-value. This number is based on the insulation's density, thickness, and what type of material it's made from. If you're not sure what the best R-value is for your needs, your HVAC contractor can advise you.
You can also discuss with your contractor what type of insulation will work best in the areas you're wanting to insulate. Some common types include:
Blanket insulation
Blown (loose-fill) insulation
Foam insulation
Foam insulation comes in boards as well as in an injectable, expanding form that can effectively seal off awkward areas.
Each type of insulation has its pros and cons in terms of cost, life span, and effectiveness. Whatever you end up choosing, you can rest assured that it will help keep your home more comfortable year-round.
Need some help figuring out if you have enough insulation in your Broken Arrow area home? Contact Air Assurance today!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “AKuptsova/pixabay”