HVAC & Plumbing
FEATURE – Without insulation, upstairs may as well be outside
December 11, 2013 - There are plenty of homes that experience cold spots, drafts, cool walls and icy floors. These are often symptoms of poor insulation, an aspect of a structure that allows winter weather to make its mark all throughout a house and in its monthly heating bills.
December 11, 2013 By Icynene
This occurrence is considered part of many seasonal experiences, and many homeowners even put down rugs or wear slippers to avoid the lack of temperature control in their domiciles. However, rather than accepting these environmental detriments, looking for ways to solve these problems with spray foam insulation should be the primary focus.
Upstairs issues
In many instances, the worst offenders are often rooms on the second floor. While heat naturally rises, the lack of warmth in winter mornings expressed by upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms is due to these rooms failing to be lined with any substances that might help retain temperature. Without these items, heat continues to rise and is likely lost in the attic, traveling out through the roof and costing homeowners a significant amount of money every year.
If you’re in doubt, get an efficiency audit performed on your house. This process requires that a representative from the local power company or associated authority come and conduct a thorough inspection of a home, finding all the areas that are most susceptible to heating loss and identifying repairs or upgrades that can reduce these factors. Such an investigation can help homeowners produce more comfortable living arrangements, as well as save money on their year-round heating and cooling bills.
Top down approach
According to The Herald Net, it’s best to start looking for problems in the attic, even if it’s the second floor that’s struggling with cold floors and icy air. That’s because a lack of insulation on the floor of this uppermost space of a house can result in air moving too readily through the ceiling of the second floor, causing a lack of heating efficiency. Spray foam insulation in this area can ensure that hot elements stay in the living space, generating more comfortable environments for residents.
What’s more, by preserving heating aspects in the house, it reduces the chance that these resources simply fly out into open space. This protects the second story from feeling like the outside air, even when the system is closed and the heat is on full blast. Such alterations to home efficiency ensure that heating bills are reduced.
By installing spray foam installation, regular heating and cooling bills can be cut by as much as 50%. Homeowners could experience much more pleasant upstairs environments and take more pleasure in staying indoors. Without adding spray foam insulation, spending time upstairs in the winter may feel similar to standing outside. Reinforcing interior elements ensures that all residents are happy and comfortable throughout the year, and the thermostat staying at a low setting ensures ongoing cost regulation.
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By Icynene
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