The purpose of a reliable HVAC system is to keep your home comfortable year-round. However, as the system ages, its performance often declines, leading to inconsistent comfort levels. Other factors, such as the quality of your home’s insulation, also play a significant role in your HVAC system’s efficiency. Proper insulation can be the difference between a system that operates smoothly and one that struggles to maintain your desired temperatures.
What Is Home Insulation?
Home insulation refers to materials builders use to insulate your home against exterior temperatures. These materials prevent heat transfer in specific areas, such as walls, roofs, basements, attics, and other areas prone to interior heat gains or losses. The attic is a particularly crucial area for unintended heat loss as heat rises, making it a prime location for insulation.
Insulation reduces heat flow no matter the time of year, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. The better the insulation, the higher its R-value. The R-value number indicates its resistance to heat flow. Many older homes have minimal insulation with low R-values, making their HVAC system work harder.
Insulation Types
You will find several common types of insulation in homes. These are:
- Batt or blanket insulation
- Blown-in or loose-fill insulation
- Cellulose blown-in insulation
- Spray foam insulation
Batt insulation is easy to install and relatively inexpensive, as it is lightweight and easy to handle. However, it usually has the lowest R-value. Blown-in insulation is popular for hard-to-reach and irregularly shaped areas. It’s installed using a machine that propels streams of insulating material, like fiberglass or cellulose, into cavities or attics. Cellulose is an eco-friendly option made from paper products. Spray foam insulation, available in open-cell and closed-cell forms, is popular because of its excellent air-sealing properties and high-insulating value.
The attic is the most common area where you may need extra insulation, as it is a significant source of heat transfer. Exterior walls are another area where your home may lack insulation, especially around electrical outlets.
The Connection Between Insulation and Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system works together with your home’s insulation to keep the interior at the desired level. Sufficient insulation keeps warmed or cooled air where you want it, so your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard. That means fewer furnace and AC repairs.
For example, in summer, you may set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when the temperature outside is 92 degrees. Without insulation, the interior temperature would quickly increase, requiring your system to turn on again. A similar situation happens in winter when you heat your home. Even with home insulation, you may not have enough, especially if your home is older. Adding more insulation with higher R-values will help maintain temperature.
How Sufficient Insulation Benefits Your HVAC System
The most notable benefit of proper home insulation is energy efficiency. Sometimes, homeowners think that an older HVAC unit is the culprit behind high energy bills when, in reality, multiple air leaks in crucial areas are the cause. Adding insulation to your home will not only improve the efficiency of your current system but also the efficiency of any HVAC unit you buy in the future.
Nevertheless, you will enjoy other benefits with better insulation. Your current system will experience fewer breakdowns because it won’t have to work as hard. This translates to cost savings and a longer life. Better insulation represents a long-term investment in your home and HVAC unit.
With higher insulation levels, you will also experience greater indoor comfort. A well-insulated home reduces the need for constant temperature adjustments. Heightened temperature stability represents another way that your system will experience less stress. You’ll have better indoor air quality when you have upgraded insulation combined with proper sealing of critical air leaks. Outside pollutants like smoke, allergens, and other outdoor pollutants will allow you to breathe more easily and experience fewer respiratory issues.
Find Indoor Comfort Solutions With Our Experts
Uneven temperatures and inefficient operation plague many homeowners. Let our AC and heating services professionals discover solutions to upgrade your comfort all year long. We provide a comprehensive slate of HVAC services, including heating and air conditioning repair, maintenance and installation. You can also look to our technicians for ductwork cleaning and related services, indoor air quality and new construction.
Contact Apollo Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule a consultation and learn more about our HVAC services and how insulation contributes to your comfort in Bellevue, NE.
