Upgrade Your Insulation System
Why Are My Heating and Cooling Bills Increasing?
An increase in heating or cooling costs does not automatically mean there is a problem with your insulation. Energy prices, HVAC performance, thermostat settings, weather, household habits, and the condition of the home can all influence monthly utility costs. However, inadequate insulation and unwanted air leakage can contribute to increased energy use.
When a home loses heated or cooled air more easily, the HVAC system has to work longer to maintain the desired indoor temperature. Understanding how insulation affects the home’s thermal performance can help determine whether an insulation upgrade should be part of the solution.
- TL;DR
- Higher utility bills can have several causes, including inadequate insulation and air leakage.
- Poor insulation can increase the amount of work required from heating and cooling equipment.
- Attics and other inadequately insulated areas can contribute to unwanted heat transfer.
- The home should be evaluated before assuming that adding insulation will solve the problem.
Better Comfort & Energy Efficiency
Common Insulation Problems That Affect Energy Costs
Poor insulation and air leaks can increase energy costs and put extra strain on your HVAC system. Lehigh Valley Insulation can help identify problem areas and recommend improvements for better comfort and energy efficiency.
How Can Insulation Affect Heating Costs?
When insulation is inadequate or contains significant gaps, the home can lose heat more quickly. The heating system then has to operate more often to replace that lost heat and maintain the thermostat setting.
How Can Insulation Affect Cooling Costs?
Adequate insulation helps slow that heat transfer. If the attic or other parts of the home are under-insulated, the air-conditioning system may need to run longer to keep indoor temperatures comfortable.
Why Might My HVAC System Seem to Run Constantly?
If insulation is inadequate, the HVAC system may reach the desired temperature only to have the home begin gaining or losing heat again. This can contribute to longer or more frequent heating and cooling cycles.
What Areas of the Home Should Be Evaluated First?
Other areas may also contribute to energy loss depending on the construction of the home. Rather than assuming the entire property needs additional insulation, identifying the weaker areas can help prioritize improvements.
Can Air Leaks Increase Energy Use Too?
Small openings can allow conditioned indoor air to escape and outdoor air to enter. This is why adding insulation without considering air sealing may leave part of the problem unresolved. Addressing both can create a more complete thermal boundary around the conditioned areas of the home.
Will Adding Insulation Automatically Lower My Utility Bills?
However, when a home is under-insulated, improving the insulation can reduce unnecessary heat transfer and help heating and cooling equipment maintain indoor temperatures more efficiently.
Uneven Room Temperatures, Hot Upstairs, Cold Rooms During Winter & More
When Should You Consider an Insulation Evaluation?
If higher energy bills are accompanied by drafts, uneven room temperatures, a particularly hot upstairs, cold rooms during winter, or an HVAC system that seems to run excessively, insulation may be one factor worth investigating. An evaluation can help determine whether the home has insufficient coverage, insulation gaps, air leakage, or other conditions that may be contributing to reduced energy efficiency.
Have A Question? We Are Here To Help!
Frequently Asked Questions
High energy bills and frequent HVAC use may be signs of inadequate insulation. Explore our FAQs to learn how insulation affects energy efficiency, heating and cooling costs, and when upgrades may be beneficial.
No. Energy prices, HVAC condition, weather, thermostat settings, and other factors can affect heating costs. Insulation should be evaluated as one part of the home's overall energy performance.
Insulation that is inadequate, damaged, or poorly distributed may allow greater heat transfer, which can increase the heating or cooling needed to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
That depends on the condition of both systems. If the HVAC equipment is functioning properly but the home continues to lose or gain significant heat, evaluating insulation and air leakage can help determine whether improvements to the building envelope should be considered before making other major changes.
