7 Signs Your Home is Under-Insulated

Does it shock you when your thermostat is set to the correct cooling temperature, but you still feel uncomfortably warm? And meanwhile in another room, it feels too cold? Worst of all, have you noticed that your energy bills are extremely high? In searing hot climates and freezing winters, you want to ensure that your home will maintain comfortable temperatures and that you aren’t spending a fortune to run your furnace and AC unit. While there may be several reasons why your home isn’t able to regulate its temperatures—one reason you should seriously consider is if your home has adequate insulation.

Here are the top 7 ways to tell if your home is under-insulated:

1) High energy bills

Check your billing history and review your energy consumption through the year. Noticeably climbing bills, especially during the hot and cold months might indicate that you don’t have enough insulation. If your home is under-insulated, it will force your HVAC system to work harder to maintain even temperatures, meaning you’re sacrificing money and comfort.

2) Cold walls, floors, and ceilings

The walls, floors, and ceilings inside your home should feel dry to the touch. If the surface feels cold and damp, it’s a clear sign there is not enough insulation. A touch test is a simple way to detect insulation problems in your home.

3) Extreme changes in temperature

Your home’s temperature should be consistent from room to room. As you move through the house, pay attention to rooms that may feel warmer or colder compared to others. There’s a problem if your kitchen is always cold but your living room is noticeably warmer. Air can escape almost anywhere that doesn’t have enough insulation to stop its path and your heating and cooling system may not be able to keep up with the loss of heated or cooled air.

4) Insects or pests

Critters just need a little crack in a wall to enter your living space. They can also enter through the holes around your windows and doors. A well-sealed and insulated home closes off these entry points and prevents unwanted rodents and insects from entering.

5) Ice Dams

The heat that rises from the floor into a poorly insulated attic can melt the snow outside, which re-freezes to form an ice dam off the roof. If you see icicles hanging off the eaves of your roof, this could be an indication that your attic is under-insulated. Typical damage caused by ice damming can include:

• Damaged shingles
• Wood rot
• Broken gutters

To prevent costly roof and eavestrough repairs, you should have an insulation expert inspect your attic.

6) Allergies act up when inside

A good insulation system seals your home from dust, pollen, and other allergens. If you catch yourself sneezing and weezing during allergy season, even when you’re indoors, it can indicate that allergens are entering your home through unsealed gaps.

7) Cold Drafts

Drafts, especially in colder seasons are an indicator of poor insulation and unsealed cracks around your windows and doors. When you have extra insulation and air-sealing in these areas, you can minimize the risk of unwanted air entering your home.

Why Spray Foam Insulation is the Best Choice for Your Home

A good insulation system should not just have effective R-Values, but also create an air-seal to prevent air from escaping. From remodels to new builds, spray foam insulation creates a more efficient home that’s comfortable to live in year round.

Benefits of Spray Foam Insulation

• High R-Values that protect your home from extreme cold and heat
• Expands to seal all gaps and cracks to reduce air leaks and unwanted drafts
• Blocks entryways for pollutants to help promote a healthier indoor environment
• Helps promotes even and consistent temperatures throughout your home
• Extremely versatile and can be installed anywhere from walls, attics, garages, ceilings, crawlspaces and floors.
• Helps lower cooling and heating bills by up to 40%

What’s the right product for you? Check out Elastochem’s line of premium spray foam insulation systems.

Your trained and certified Elastochem contractor can help you choose the right insulation for your home project and tell you more. Find your contractor today.