Bad Insulation Can Actually Make You Sick!

September 19, 2016

Bad insulation can have negative consequences on the health and wellbeing of homeowners, even without warning. But beyond health, there's also personal comfort to consider. The thing is, a coldish, dampish indoor environment is both uncomfortable and unhealthy. In some cases, it may be that insulation was poorly installed. In other cases, existing insulation may have settled over the years, and simply become inefficient. There are also situations where insulation product was just not right for job - inefficient and with little effect. Whatever the situation, and without a viable remedy, bad insulation will compromise the indoor environment of a home, and negatively affect occupant comfort. By any measure, a cold home is an unhealthy home. This is mainly because indoor coldness promotes dampness in the air, and condensation - both of which encourage the growth of mold. It's no wonder that these conditions can potentially lead to sinus colds, allergies, and other respiratory ailments. Bad home insulation, especially in cold winter regions, requires resolution. Inefficient insulation also means higher-than-usual energy costs. This applies equally to heating the home in winter and cooling the home in summer. And because heating and cooling accounts for over 50% of home energy consumption, bad insulation and air leakage are just a prescription for wasted energy and wasted money. The fact is, a poorly insulated house is also a poorly sealed house, and that makes for heating and cooling that easily escapes through roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors. It's bad for occupant wellbeing and budget. Overall, well-insulated homes are energy-efficient homes. They are more comfortable in summer and winter, more healthful for occupants, and contribute to reduced energy costs throughout the year. Well insulated also means well sealed - an airtight house actually allows insulation to better perform. As well, the airtightness enhances energy efficiency so that HVAC performance is better balanced. All in all, the indoor environment, whether in winter or summer, is improved - winter is warm and dry, and summer is cool and comfortable. As a remedy for bad insulation, one of the better options is Spray Foam Insulation. It has become popular amongst homeowners and professionals because it performs so well. SFI inhibits air movement and "heat loss" - it's an all-in-one air barrier, vapour barrier, and insulator. And since it stops moisture from accumulating, homeowners benefit from less dampness and condensation inside the home. Winter and summer, a home insulated with Spray Foam Insulation will result in a more comfortable, healthier indoor environment. Importantly, when choosing to install Spray Foam Insulation, homeowners should always opt for a professional approach. The insulation material requires proper handling; the manufacturer's specifications must be followed; and building codes must be respected. An expert installation is the way to ensure optimum product performance - and a reliable insulation company will do just that. Best of all, Spray Foam Insulation lasts a lifetime. There's no need to replenish or replace, the investment "payback" is reasonable - between two and seven years.