Insulation is one of the most widely misunderstood home construction materials. Many homeowners here in the greater Chicagoland area understand that insulation keeps a home warmer in the winter, but it is just as important for keeping the home cool in the summer.
Upgrading the insulation in your house is an extremely affordable way to increase home comfort and energy efficiency; but in order to understand how it offers these benefits, you first need to understand how it controls the flow of heat through the home.
How Heat Flows — and How Insulation Controls Heat Flow
Heat travels through the home in two major ways: by conduction and by convection.
Conduction
Conduction is the flow of heat through solid materials. Imagine how the heat from a steaming cup of coffee reaches your hand through the cup — that’s conduction. In your home, heat travels through your home by conduction via the roof, walls, and floors.
Insulation in these key areas slows the flow of heat much like a coffee cup sleeve, keeping heat out during the summer and keeping heat in during the winter.
Convection
Convection is the flow of heat through liquids and gases such as air. If you have air leaks in your exterior walls, around recessed lighting, around plumbing penetrations, and in other areas, heat travels through your home by convection via these air leaks. Heat also travels through your home by conduction due to stack effect — where hot air naturally rises because it is less dense than cool air.
Certain types of insulation slow the flow of heat by convection by eliminating air leaks, keeping outside heat out and minimizing stack effect.
The Benefits of a Well Insulated Home
As you can see, proper insulation in the attic, walls, floors, and crawlspace or basement is essential for controlling heat flow in your house. With proper air sealing using spray foam and insulation using materials like cellulose, you can expect benefits like:
More consistent indoor temperatures
Greater overall indoor comfort
Less work for your AC & heating systems
Increased home energy efficiency
Lower monthly utility bills
Better indoor air quality
Experience the Benefits of Insulation by Assured
If you’re looking to create a more comfortable home, save more energy, and lower your utility bills year-round — all with one affordable home upgrade — now is the time to consider upgrading your insulation. We offer comprehensive insulation services throughout the greater Chicagoland area, including Orland Park. We can also assess your home and determine exactly where it needs insulation during a comprehensive home energy audit.