Insulation Can Help Reduce Energy Bills And Lower Emissions
Regardless if you are trying to save money on your energy bill or trying to lower your carbon footprint, insulation can do both. In the United States, and the rest of the world, insulation is often inadequate.
For example, in just the US, a study found that 90% of homes were under-insulated in 2015. And more recently, a study in the UK found that residents pay an extra £40 ($48.46) per year due to poor insulation.
The situation is similar in other nations.
The issue is very noticeable in older houses, as the standards in place were not nearly as strict as they are today. Thus, some houses were built with inadequate insulation from the very get-go. And it is only made worse as summers become hotter and winters become colder.
Improving home insulation is a great way to save money and lower emissions, and now might be the best time to act.
What Is Insulation And Why Is It Important?
Insulation is a thermal barrier that is placed within the walls, and sometimes the ceilings, of homes. Its main purpose is to prevent the transfer of heat from the inside and outside of the home.
This prevents your heat from escaping in the winter, while also making sure your air conditioning stays inside during the summer.
Generally, you should reinsulate your home every 15 to 20 years, but most homes go way past this recommendation. Ultimately, this results in more heat escaping a home, which forces you to use more heat or air conditioning.
By extension, this costs residents more money on their energy bills every year.
It’s also important to note that the amount of insulation a home needs depends on where it is located. For example, a home in Florida and New York will have very distinct insulation requirements because the climate is different.
These requirements are dependent on what type of insulation you use. While this may sound very complicated, it’s actually pretty straightforward.
Why Don’t Houses Reinsulate More Often?
Like most things, homeowners simply don’t have the extra income to do it. The final cost depends on the size of the home but can easily cost more than $10,000.
Yet, there’s no denying that it can dramatically increase the resident’s comfort level.
Thus, the price is typically worth the cost, but that initial spending will keep most homeowners away.
This is actually why in the UK, the government will help homeowners insulate their homes as it helps lower the energy demand, which is a big goal for the government. It’s a great program that needs expansion, especially during energy shortages.
The US also has a program that can help homeowners. The Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Program (EERE). This program will provide $1,500 (about 30% of the cost of insulating a home) as a tax credit at the end of the year.
Robert has been following and writing about environmental stories for years at GreenGeeks. He believes that highlighting environmentally friendly practices can help promote change in every household.