It's Important to Insulate a Home for the Summer

March 24, 2016

Most homeowners associate home insulation with the wintertime. But in many parts of the country, summer can pose its own challenges when it comes to energy consumption, energy savings, and even home comfort. The thing is, with a super-hot summer, no homeowner wants to be running the air conditioning all the time, and racking up super-high electricity bills. A well insulated home will perform in the summer, just as it does in winter - and the results, whether short term or long term, will be noticeable in terms of energy savings. There's a lot to consider when insulating the home for summer. Air leakage, for instance, is a big issue, and is not usually given enough consideration. As well, poorly sealed doors and windows should be addressed as part of any insulation project. And finally, air circulation and ventilation should be evaluated. For all of these, a comprehensive "energy audit" is the best place to start. Here, an independent assessment will identify the issues that must be resolved, while providing the appropriate recommendations and a viable action plan. One of the critical decisions when deliberating insulation (winter or summer) is what type of insulation to install. This will depend on a number of factors, including the type and extent of insulation that may already exist. And in most cases, the attic and roof cavity will have existing insulation of some description. What's most important is to get a professional evaluation of what to do next. A professional contractor will have the expertise to recommend the best approach for the situation, and the most cost effective installation method. Insulation professionals understand the technical elements of a project. They understand the building code with respect to insulation; they know which product is right for the job; and they can accurately assess how much R-Value is adequate. Best of all, a good contractor will work with a homeowner in deciding how best to meet the budget requirements of the project. It's all about getting the most out of a particular product and providing n installation that will deliver cost savings for heating in winter and cooling in the summer. Summer or winter, there are many homeowners who will want to explore the DIY (do-it-yourself) approach to home insulation. And yes, there are many home centers that sell product, and rent equipment, and even offer advice. But there is little debate about doing a professional job. The professionals have the right tools, equipment and project expertise to do the job right the first time. This is often messy, and even hazardous work - and when there's troubleshooting or unexpected issues, there's nothing like a professional touch. A professional insulation contractor will not just come to install product. There are air leakage concerns to address; there are HVAC (heating and air conditioning) dynamics to consider; and there are ventilation issues that require attention, especially throughout the attic and roof. In short, the comprehensive approach to insulation is the one that delivers the best outcomes from season to season, and for years to come.