With heating and cooling accounting for up to 70% of energy used in the average American home, any budget-conscious homeowner should pay attention to opportunities to become more efficient. According to the Energy Star program, homeowners can save up to 11% on their energy bill simply by ensuring their home’s insulation is optimized.
Insulation reduces the exchange of heat with colder outdoor air. This means insulation is working to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Your HVAC system works hard to keep you comfortable, and insulation provides the support.
With real dollars on the line when it comes to your monthly bills, here are three common myths about insulation to be aware of:
Myth 1: Heat rises, so insulation only matters in my attic.
If you’ve heard the saying “heat rises,” your first instinct may be to focus only up. But due to conduction and radiation, heat truly moves in all directions within your home. This means any part of your home that touches outdoor space can be improved with insulation.
Myth 2: My home isn’t that old, so I don’t need to worry about insulation.
As energy codes have become stricter over the years, it is true that older, unimproved homes stand to benefit most from insulation. However, studies show 90% of all homes are under-insulated meaning most any home can stand an improvement.
Myth 3: With so many home improvements to be done, I should focus on those that increase the value of my home.
Insulation is a huge opportunity to save on your heating bill, but it also results in one of the largest returns on investment for home value. “Remodeler Magazine’s” annual cost vs. value report puts insulation improvements at the top of the list.
An MTB technician can help evaluate all the opportunities in your home to improve HVAC efficiency. Set up an appointment or give us a call at (704) 459-4066 .
