If you're looking for ways to make your home more comfortable throughout the seasons, it's important that you learn all about insulation. As a homeowner, it's of the utmost importance that you keep your home properly insulated, so that you retain comfort and health and keep your energy costs under control. To learn more about doing this, consider this valuable information to help you out. 

How does insulation help regulate temperatures in my home?

Without insulation creating a barrier throughout your home, your building materials would absorb the heat and cold fully, so that the people inside feel the effects. However, with insulation in place, the heat will not penetrate the walls of the home, so you can keep a stable temperature inside. This prevents you from having to take extreme measures, such as keeping the air conditioner or heater on full blast just to avoid the harsh conditions of outside. By regulating the temperatures, you'll also save plenty of money on your heating and cooling bills. 

How do I know the amount of insulation that I'll need?

The main specification to keep in mind with insulation is the R-Value. The R-Value of your insulation refers to the amount of resistance to the flow of heat that is present, due to the density and quality of the material used within the insulation unit. Thus, a high R-Value speaks highly to the insulation's ability to preserve the thermal conditions of your home. To know how much you will need, you should touch base with an insulation contractor who can provide a thorough inspection and assessment of your home. 

How do I know if my home is currently underinsulated?

The best way to get a proper evaluation of your insulation needs is to bring in a contractor, but there are definitely some telltale signs that your home isn't getting enough insulation:

• Your energy bills are through the roof
• The thermostats upstairs are 10 to 15 degrees hotter than the rest of the house during the summer
• Pipes begin to freeze or even burst in the winter
• The roof begins to experience ice damming during winter storms

How much will it cost to insulate my home?

You'll need to weigh the cost of home insulation and get quality quotes from different contractors. Typically, you can expect to pay between 60 cents to $1.41 per square foot, which equals between approximately $300 and $707 for 500 square feet. This will also depend heavily on which sections of your home need more insulation and what types of insulation you opt for. 

Regardless of what decision you make with insulation in your home, make sure you do so from an informed point of view, and touch base with a contractor who can help you. Talk to experts like Durham Insulation for more information.