How Insulation Works to Keep Your Home Cool in the Summer

So, what is insulation? And how does insulation keep heat out during the summer?

Home insulation works almost similarly to a thermos. It serves the purpose of trapping air in your home and preventing external air from entering. During the winter, it helps slow heat loss from the interior spaces. During the summer, however, it helps reduce heat gain from your home’s exterior to the living areas inside. This way, your HVAC system can reach and maintain comfortable temperatures in your home without being obstructed.

In simple terms: Insulation results in a warmer home in the winter, a cooler home in the summer, and lower energy bills. It’s that simple, and it works! Insulating a home usually requires help from a home insulation contractor to install various insulating materials that reduce airflow, along with sealing gaps and cracks where air can escape. If you’re a homeowner considering home insulation services, remember that you’ll recoup its cost through energy savings in less than a year!

Where Should You Insulate in Your Home?

Now that you know the benefits to insulation in the summer, where should you place new insulation in your home? While attics and crawl spaces are the main areas of your home that pose a significant risk of air leakage, there are a few more areas where you need to install insulation.

» Attic

If your attic has old insulation that isn’t effective, you’re looking at more than just higher energy bills. You could also set yourself up for moisture damage, mold growth, and structural damage. Attic insulation helps keep temperatures under control, keeps your HVAC system working efficiently, and improves the overall comfort level of your home.

» Walls

Insulating your home’s walls could cut your utility costs considerably and make your home more comfortable. In addition to maintaining the desired temperature in your house all year round, wall insulation is also helpful in reducing noise pollution.

» Crawl Space

Did you know crawl space insulation can prevent pollutants from entering your home through the floor? A well-insulated crawl space can also reduce temperature fluctuations in your home, improve energy efficiency, and result in better air quality

» Basements

Alongside the attic, the basement is the most common part of a house to experience extreme temperatures. In addition to reducing your HVAC costs, insulating your basement’s walls and ceiling helps prevent moisture problems and insect infestations.

If you’re unsure if your home has the right amount or type of insulation, speak to a home insulation contractor ASAP!

Best Insulation to Keep that Heat Out This Summer

It’s common for homeowners to think of their ceilings and floors as impermeable surfaces in which air can’t escape. In reality, air can seep through the smallest openings, such as piping, lighting fixtures, and outlets. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure these spaces are appropriately sealed by filling in cracks, closing off gaps, and installing a leak-proof insulation layer. Common home insulation materials include the following:

» Fiberglass

The most commonly installed type of insulation is fiberglass and is available in blown-in and batt forms.

» Batt Fill Insulation

Batt insulation is one of the most popular attic, ceiling, and drywall insulation materials. It is a popular option because it remains effective over time as it doesn’t settle. It is also great for sound dampening, which makes it ideal for wall insulation.

» Blown-in Insulation

Since it is a foam, blown fiberglass fills all cracks, preventing climate control leakage and allergens and insects from entering. We recommended using loose-fill insulation in attics due to the inconvenient bulk of rolled fiberglass.

Also Read: Everything to Know About Blown-in Insulation

» Spray Foam Insulation

Attic insulation specialists can apply spray foam insulation when it’s wet, and it quickly expands into a thick foam that snugly fits in wall cavities, crevices, and all hard-to-reach areas. It has a higher effective rate for sealing all the gaps.

Recommended Tips to Keep Your Home Cool in the Summer

While we all crave sunshine during the summer, many of us struggle with the subsequent heat in our homes, especially when dealing with hot sticky nights and trying to keep the kids cool in hot weather. Sure, your home’s HVAC system can do its best to keep your home as cool as possible, but there’s only so much it can do.

With this in mind, our home insulation specialists have compiled a list of several simple hacks that can help you combat these heat hurdles and keep your home cool when the temperatures rise:

• Keep the windows closed during the day
• Shut and insulate your doors
• Grill more instead of using the oven
• Close the blinds
• Purchase a programmable thermostat
• Swap your incandescent light bulbs for LED bulbs
• Install ceiling fans
• Open windows in the morning and at night
• Turn off unused appliances

If you’ve tried all these tricks, but they don’t seem to work, schedule a home insulation inspection to have an expert determine the insulation integrity of your home’s insulation.

The Bottom Line

We all know that Southern California has spectacular weather. However, on the hotter days, it’s crucial to do what you can to maintain a cool and comfortable living environment while saving on energy bills. If you’re looking for a local Conejo Valley home insulation expert, you’re in the right place! The home insulation specialists at Conejo Valley Home Services can help insulate your home properly to beat that heat.

We look forward to helping you have a comfortable and safe home. Call (805) 499-0448 or fill out the contact form to schedule our professional insulation services today!