February 14, 2023
Do you constantly have your heat cranked up as high as possible but still feel cold in your house? Your first thought may be to call an HVAC company for heating repair when you should be calling an insulation company near you, first.
Many home heating issues are caused by a lack of insulation and air sealing, which leads to heat loss in a home. If your home is losing heat with the thermostat set to high, you need more insulation.
Inadequate Insulation Causes Heat Loss in a Home
Heat is not a static substance—it is always moving from one place to another via conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction refers to heat that moves through materials; convection refers to heat that moves through the air; radiation refers to heat that moves in a straight line from one hot object to another. All three types of heat movement obey the laws of thermodynamics, which dictate that heat will always move from warmer areas to colder ones.
Heat movement happens everywhere, including inside your home. In the winter, when it's colder outside than in, the heat that's inside your house will try to escape towards the colder temperatures outside. We refer to this as heat loss.
The Problem with Heat Loss
There will always be a small amount of heat loss in your home. But too much heat loss can lead to comfort issues like:
A cold house even when the heat is on
Drafty rooms and hallways
Inconsistent temperatures between rooms
Comfort issues aren’t the only problem with heat loss—it also drives up your energy costs. It’s your furnace’s job to keep your home at the temperature you set your thermostat to. If you have heat constantly escaping, your furnace will need to run more frequently to make up for the loss, leading to higher heating bills.
Insulation and Air Sealing Prevent Heat Loss!
Insulation installation is the best way to prevent heat loss in your home. Insulation works by slowing down the transfer of heat into and out of your house, so less heat escapes in the winter and you don’t have to run your heating system as frequently, saving you money. Just how much does insulation save on energy bills? According to the EPA, you can save an average of 15% on your heating and cooling bills with proper insulation and air sealing.
Because heat moves in different ways, you need different types of insulation to effectively protect against heat loss:
Fiberglass insulation - Slows conductive heat loss through your attic, crawl space, and walls.
Air sealing - Air sealing your attic and crawl space stops hot air from leaking out of your home.
Radiant barrier insulation - Radiates heat back into your home as it tries to escape.
All of these methods work together to keep your home warm in the winter by reducing heat loss. In the summer, they work in reverse to block heat gain from warming up your home and driving up your air conditioning costs. Insulating and air sealing your house is a year-round solution to comfort and energy efficiency issues.
Stay Warm and Save Money this Winter with Insulation Installation
Looking for an insulation company in the Charlotte, NC, area? Standard Insulating Company provides professional insulation removal and installation services, and we have many years of experience serving local homeowners. If you’re looking for insulation tips to save money and energy this winter, give us a call. You’ll be shocked by the difference good insulation can make in your home and on your energy bills!