Benefits of Good Ceiling Insulation in Your Home

You may not notice when you have good ceiling insulation, but you’re likely to notice if you don’t. Between inability to stop heat from escaping to allowing water to damage to your home, lack of good ceiling insulation can be both wasteful and expensive. Here are four benefits of good ceiling insulation in your home.

1. Improves Energy Efficiency

Whether you’re all about saving the environment or not, improved energy efficiency is a benefit of good ceiling insulation. The more efficiently you use your energy, the lower your electric bill. Ceiling insulation helps your home maintain a set temperature year-round, regardless of your climate.

In the winter, insulation traps the heat in your home and prevents it from escaping, saving on heating costs and possibly healthcare costs related to cold weather. In the summer, the insulation prevents the heat from traveling back down into your home, saving on air conditioning costs.

2. Solves Moisture Problems

Since your ceiling is located under your roof, it is the next line of defense against moisture problems. Insulation offers a barrier between you and the elements by reducing condensation, which is a breeding ground for bacteria, black mold, and mildew. Not only will this prolong the life of your ceiling, it will also save you money in healthcare costs since black mold can cause many respiratory illnesses ranging from asthma attacks to Legionnaires’ Disease, a rare form of pneumonia that can be fatal.

3. Prevents Roof Issues

Image via Flickr by USACE HQ

Heat rises, and when it leads to snow melting on the roof, it can cause expensive problems. In fact, one of the most common roof problems can be traced to poor insulation. Ceiling insulation prevents indoor heat from escaping through the roof, which may cause any collected snow to melt and potentially allow the water to damage your roof or ceiling. Be sure to hire a certified roofer to fix any problems before putting in ceiling installation to solve any existing issues and prevent new ones from arising.

4. Improves Sustainability of HVAC System

The less your HVAC has to work to heat or cool your home, the longer it lasts and the more money you save in repairs. Depending on how your house is designed, ceiling insulation can prevent the HVAC unit from freezing. A well-running HVAC unit can provide not only years of comfort but years of cost savings in the form of energy efficiency. Where lack of insulation reduces system efficiency, proper insulation increases overall sustainability.

How Much Can I Save?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners use between 50% and 70% of their energy to keep a temperate home. The average U.S. household spends about $2,200 annually on energy, and up to 70% of this is related to heating and cooling the house. If you can save up to 40%, that translates to $616 per year.Ceiling insulation helps your house last longer and use energy more efficiently, and it prevents both short- and long-term system and water damage problems. It’s a win-win. Consult an HVAC technician about having your ceiling insulated.