Insulation: Can you have too much?

The summer heat of Arizona takes its toll on even the toughest of valley natives.  That’s why it is important to ensure your home is a desert oasis instead of a hotbox.  So how do you create a comfortable and cool retreat in your house? Many people will suggest an upgraded AC or installing new insulation will help.  Although these people are right, there are a few factors you should take into consideration, starting with finding a licensed and trustworthy contractor. Since we are not an HVAC contractor we will share some insulation factors you should consider before the summer heat.

Insulation can conserve energy and save you money on your heating/cooling bill because, it creates a thermal barrier between your home and the outdoors.  This may sound expensive, but upgrading your current insulation should not break your bank.  In most Arizona houses, the insulation level is below the industry standard of R-38, which means heat can transfer from your hot attic to your cooled house.  Now some contractors will try to tell you that you should insulate well above the industry level because it translates to a thicker thermal barrier.  The only issue with that thought process is the cost vs. savings relationship because it does not always come out in your favor.

An insulation value of R-44 is reaching the balance of energy efficiency and wasting money.  Anything over an R-44 in the greater Phoenix area is unlikely to produce a substantial savings in comparison to how much it costs to install it. Technically speaking the more insulation, the larger the barrier, but it definitely crosses the line of practical home improvements.

Although it is important to know how much insulation you should have installed, it is just as important to have it installed properly.  If it is not installed properly even in just 5% of the attic, the consequences can be exponentially worse than 5% loss in R-Value.  This means your thermal barrier is not intact and you would have wasted time and money.  In conclusion, it is important to hire a trustworthy contractor to ensure proper installation, as well as providing enough information to help you make an educated decision

Call us today with any of your insulation questions, we would love the opportunity to earn your business!