For many not in the air conditioning and/or HVAC industry, insulation is just that prickly pink stuff in the attic that we don’t want on our skin or in our eyes, right? For most, insulation is not something we lay awake at night concerned about whether or not it’s doing its job. I mean, I can’t say I lose sleep over a cloud-like substance preventing cool-air escape ten feet above me.
Insulation, what’s the big deal?
Carrie Wells, a long-time patron in Ocala, called Tropical Air on Monday. Concerned about her power bill, she took the first step in what could possibly save her hundreds of dollars each year. Recognizing common reasons for high energy bills, I asked her about the insulation in her attic.
“I wouldn’t know,” she laughed, “I never look up there.”
Truth be told, insulation can be a bit of an out-of-sight-out-of-mind kind of thing, and we understand that at Tropical Air. However, if you’re having issues such as high energy bills, you could end up wasting a lot of money if insulation is the root of the problem and it stays overlooked.
Knowing times are tough and many people prefer to help themselves when possible, for the next couple of weeks we’re going to walk through insulation basics, to save you money and help you stay as confident and comfortable as possible.
What is insulation and why is it so important?
Insulation is a layer of material that protects your home from heat loss and gain. It is the single most efficient energy-saving expense in your home, which is why we want you to know what to look out for and what you can do about what you find.
Where Do I Start?
The first step (and all steps thereafter) must be safety. If you are unable to secure a ladder and safely inspect any part of your home, including your attic, please contact a licensed HVAC or insulation professional. There is nothing more important than your safety… nothing!
Once safety issues have been satisfied, start by looking in your attic. You are more than welcome to give us a call and one of our specialists will be glad to talk you through it. During your inspection, look around for debris, dirt, rodents, missing insulation, and any other potential problems. Within these few minutes, what you see may give you clues as to why your energy bills are high.
To compare, does your attic and insulation look something like this?
If your attic looks like the image above, insulation may not be the issue at hand. After all, this is how your attic should look. Granted, it does not have to be pink and you don’t have to have a window, but as long as the floor is completely covered with no joists poking out, you are insulated better than most.
On the other hand, if your attic looks like something like this…
…we need to talk. Needless to say, most attics in the Greater Central Florida look similar to the image directly above. You are not alone.
Getting back to Carrie, fortunately we came in just in time. While we were there to handle the insulation, we found a spider infestation which was also quickly taken care of. According to averages, Carrie not only has a refreshed attic, her energy bill is slated to decrease significantly.
I know it’s tough to inspect attics and so much easier to push the envelope, but if your insulation needs replacing, it could be costing you more money than you realize. We want to prevent that.
Knowing, they say, is half the battle. So now that you know a few basics of insulation, we can work together to address any issues properly and safely. Next time, we’ll review different types of insulation and how you can make the best decision for your home.
If you have any questions or concerns, speaking to one of our HVAC and insulation professionals is always a free courtesy.
Keep Cool and Informed,
Rikki Payne
Your Licensed A/C and Heating Connection
321-972-9935
www.Tropical-Air.com
Serving Greater Central Florida
