Image courtesy of homeyimprovement.com.
With the current discussion on energy efficiency, concerns over energy costs in a challenging economy, and high prices in the property market, homeowners are increasingly looking to maximize their budget savings and the property values of their homes.
One key way to approach this, in both an existing and new home, is to check and update the level of insulation in the home.
How Insulation Is Vital In Insulating Property
Insulation is a vital tool in a homeowner’s arsenal when improving both energy and cost efficiency, and the reason is preventing the over-use of energy and preventing heat loss.
Heat can be expensive to generate, particularly in winter, and so keeping heat within a home rather than letting it escape through the windows, doors, ceiling, and walls, saves significant amounts of money. It is also good for the environment, as the amount of fuel used, and the amount of harmful emissions produced is reduced when less energy is required.
Why Insulation And Energy Efficiency Are Newsworthy
While the heat-saving and money-saving aspects of insulation have been known for some time, the environmental factors of effective insulation have only recently become a mainstream topic of conversation. One reason for this is that there is research now available that shows the increased effects and nature of climate change.
Emissions from burning fossil fuels to produce electricity and domestic heating are one element behind the proven and ongoing changes in the climate.
Discussions on how to halt or slow down climate change include proposals on changing or reducing the amount of energy supply through the use of renewable energy and greater energy efficiency.
Shutters As Part Of An Insulation Solution
Solutions such as plantation shutters are an essential element of a whole-house insulation approach, and such shutters can be both eco-efficient and stylish within your domestic environment.
Plantation shutters. Photo courtesy of jonespg.com.
Windows can be an area of significant heat loss, which can be improved with the addition of seals and double-glazing. Shutters can also have a significant impact on the insulation effect.
Tips On Improving Insulation In New And Existing Homes
Whether you are improving the insulation in your existing home or designing a new build, there are some vital tips to consider in terms of insulation.
In an existing home, get a professional auditor to conduct a whole-house energy assessment. This includes identifying the places in the property that require sealing or insulation.
Most likely, areas to insulate will include window and door seals, exterior walls, and floors or ceilings that separate cool spaces, such as an attic or an unheated garage.
Image courtesy of the American Insulation Company.
For a new home, communicate with the builder or architect to establish their plans for insulation. Then ensure that things such as loft insulation, filled wall cavities, and door and window seals are tackled right from the start.
In Summary
Insulation plays a key role in retaining heat and saving money in the home, and in turn in makes a property more ecologically friendly. Among the types of insulation required are filling for wall cavities, seals for doors and windows, and effective window shutters.
Reader comments and input are always welcomed!