Insulation is designed to help your home maintain a comfortable indoor environment using less energy. The insulation you install in your home retards the flow of heat either into or out of your home, keeping the temperature inside at the ideal level for you and your family. If you are planning to build a new home on Long Island, the design and construction phases are the very best time to install insulation in New York. Making sure your home is properly insulated from the very beginning will help you enjoy immediate comfort and energy savings that will last over the long term, without the need to add further insulation at a later time.
Determining Your Insulation Needs
The amount of insulation required for each home is different. Furthermore, while there may be a minimum insulation requirement written into your local or state building codes, these minimum requirements are typically far below the amount of insulation needed for a truly energy-efficient New York home. Before insulation is placed, it’s important to consult a professional to determine the amount and type of insulation that is best for your home, which is often determined by factors such as the size of the home, the number and orientation of its windows, and the type of HVAC system you are planning to install. Other considerations include whether your home incorporates a basement, crawlspace, or attic, as well as whether you plan to finish your basement, garage, or attic as a furnished living space. Finally, it’s important to consider the fact that insulation also provides soundproofing—if your home is located near a busy road or you have a large family with children, you may want to opt for an insulation material and configuration that will create an effective barrier against sound transmission.
Construction Factors That Affect Insulation Performance
Simply placing insulation in the appropriate areas of your home is only one step in creating a truly energy-efficient structure. There are several additional factors that will affect the long-term performance of your insulation, including air sealing and moisture control. Air sealing augments the efforts of your insulation by eliminating direct air exchange between your home’s interior and the outdoor environment. This may include adding weather stripping to doors and windows, as well as making sure the openings around vents and pipes are flush with your home’s exterior. Moisture control is another important factor in insulation performance and longevity, as insulation that becomes wet or damp can harbor mold and often degrades or loses its insulating properties over time. Vapor barriers and retardants should be installed in most areas where insulation is placed to keep insulation dry, while areas such as attics should be properly ventilated for continual airflow that reduces the risk of moisture accumulation.
If you have questions about insulating a new or existing home on Long Island, we offer the insulation services and solutions you need. Our experience staff can help you choose and install insulation and soundproofing to create your ideal home environment; please stop by our website to find out more about insulation and home energy audits on Long Island, or click through our blog for even more tips and news about insulation benefits and installation.
