Now is a good time to make sure your home is ready for summer and the cooling bills that will come along with it. If May was any indication of what may be in store for us, you’ll be glad you took the time to inspect your attic for insulation. You may be surprised what you might find. There are 4 of the reasons you may need more insulation or to replace your insulation.
Replace Insulation in an Older Home
The housing market is picking up. There are more people buying homes than there were 6 months ago. If you were one of those buyers and you purchased an older home, call Murray Insulation to come and inspect your attic for insulation. Although you had an inspection before you closed on your home, a general inspection won’t be as detailed about attic insulation as an insulation professional would. Finding out if you need insulation or need to have your insulation replaced and a quote will help you plan for this expenditure, if you need it.
Energy Bills are high
You put in new windows or you had them re-calked this spring to ensure maximum efficiency. Your HVAC system is less than 5 years old so you know it is running efficiently (don’t forget to have it maintained). Part of your efficiency check-list needs to be adding more insulation to your attic to maximize your thermal insulation that keeps the unwanted heat outside the house. Having efficient insulation also reduces the demands on your air conditioning system (more efficiency!)
Critters in your attic
When our professionals inspect your attic they will be able to tell if you’re been entertaining uninvited house guests over the winter. Some of the animals that may have invaded your attic are: squirrels, raccoon, rats, snakes, possums, bats, hedgehogs, birds, termites and the dreaded cockroach.
Animals can sometimes tear up insulation rendering it less effective. They also leave their waste behind. Not a pretty picture. If we find your attic has been home to animals (and like Goldie Locks they still may be there). They will first need to be removed and then we will remove the insulation and replace it with insulation of your choice (rolled, spray foam, spray fiberglass, or picture framing method of insulation installation.)
Wet insulation
A leaking roof is usually the main cause of wet insulation (besides the obvious, if you’ve had a fire and the insulation was damaged while putting it out). Wet insulation loses its thermal insulating value. Water is a conductor of energy and if your insulation gets wet, it resists the ability to conduct heat. Conduction is a main energy efficiency of insulation. Wet insulation will also mold. Mold spores will thrive in a moist environment. Mold spores can produce irritations and allergic symptoms and sometimes toxins, which can be dangerous. You may or may not have an adverse reaction to mold spores depending on your age, your sensitivities or allergies. If your insulation is wet, you will want it replaced.
There are lots of good reasons to have your insulation inspected if you have not done so. If you have purchased an older home, if your energy bills are high, if you suspect that animals may be invading your attic or if your roof has been leaking are reasons you should make an appointment with Murray to have your attic checked. It is always the right time to save money and keep your home as efficient as possible.
