As you spend money on gifts, food and decorations this holiday season, you may be thinking of ways to save money around the house. Insulation is one way to do so. If you’ve noticed an increase in energy costs, you’re probably wondering how often to replace insulation and if you need new material. How often should you replace your insulation? There’s no single right answer—a lot of different factors affect an insulation material’s performance.
Do You Need New Insulation?
Insulation is manufactured to last a very long time and can perform effectively for years. However, there are a number of different occurrences and instances that may expedite or necessitate a replacement:
- Settling. When your insulation is first installed, it’s laid to fill all of the space it needs to effectively, but due to the nature of the product, it begins to settle a bit over the first year. This may end up leaving areas exposed, causing a need for replacement or addition.
- Outdated material. If you’re living in, or have recently purchased an older home, it’s a good idea to have the insulation checked, if not outright replaced. Old insulation is often worn to the point of near uselessness, and particularly so for the older materials of the past (such as cotton or wool, which are rarely used anymore).
- Mold or mildew damage. Fungal growth is uncommon but possible in insulation, particularly if the humidity is too high in the places your insulation resides. These situations can rapidly decay and destroy your insulation, and a replacement should be done immediately.
Generally, if you’ve noted the presence of pests, mold, rodents or moisture, or you’ve seen a spike in your heating and cooling costs, it’s a good idea to consider replacement. An insulation contractor will come out and assess your situation and recommend the right solutions.
Insulation Replacement in San Diego & Los Angeles
While there is no perfect, single right answer, we at OJ Insulation can offer you our expertise and experience to help you save money and live comfortably all year long. If you think your insulation may be in need of a professional assessment, contact us today!
