There are many different factors that go into creating an energy-efficient and comfortable home. Insulation and air sealing are two such factors and, though they refer to different things, work best when combined. Together, they help keep temperatures consistent, prevent drafts, lower your energy bills, and ensure comfort all year long for your Park Hills home.
Let’s dig into how insulation and air sealing are different, why they go hand in hand, and how Ozark’s Modern Insulation can help you save on these home efficiency upgrades.
Understanding the Difference: Insulation vs. Air Sealing
Insulation and air sealing serve slightly different purposes, but complement each other in enhancing your home’s comfort and efficiency:
Insulation is designed to slow the transfer of heat throughout your home. It acts as a barrier that keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer by making it harder for heat to escape or enter through the walls, ceilings, and floors of your house.
Air sealing, on the other hand, focuses on preventing air leaks that allow conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to enter your home. These leaks often happen near windows, doors, vents, and other openings.
Taken together, insulation and air sealing help ensure your home remains energy-efficient and comfortable throughout the year.
The Benefits of Insulating and Air Sealing Your Home
To see why homeowners should upgrade both their insulation and air sealing, consider the following scenario:
Let’s say you notice that your second floor often gets extra warm in the summer, especially compared to the ground floor of your home. Upon investigating, you learn that insulation could help resolve this issue, but opt to forego air sealing when you upgrade your insulation. Though you might notice some improvement in inconsistent home temperatures, hot air from outside is still able to leak in through cracks around your second floor windows, while conditioned air escapes. And since the efficiency of most insulation materials is reduced when exposed to moving air, your new insulation doesn’t protect your home as well as it could.
But if you were to do both insulation and air sealing upgrades, conditioned air would not be able to escape, outside heat wouldn’t be able to leak through cracks and crevices, and you’d get the maximum value and comfort out of your home efficiency upgrades.
Combining insulation and air sealing provides a host of benefits that neither can achieve alone, including:
- Enhanced comfort: Proper insulation and air sealing eliminate drafts and temperature fluctuations, ensuring a consistently comfortable indoor temperature
- Improved efficiency: By minimizing heat transfer and preventing air leaks, your heating and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard to maintain your desired indoor temperature
- Extended HVAC lifespan: Reduced strain on your heating and cooling systems means less wear and tear, potentially extending their lifespan
- Environmental impact: Increased home energy efficiency lowers your carbon footprint
Save on Insulation and Air Sealing Upgrades with Ozark’s Modern Insulation
Upgrading your insulation and air sealing can lead to significant improvements in home efficiency, comfort, energy savings, and more. And, thanks to the insulation tax credit, formally called the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, homeowners can claim 30% of the cost of qualifying insulation and air sealing expenses—up to $1,200 per year.
At Ozark’s Modern Insulation, we simplify the process of qualifying for and claiming your insulation tax credit. Our team will guide you throughout the entire process, ensuring you maximize both comfort and savings.
Let the experts at Ozark’s Modern Insulation help make your home more comfortable with new insulation and air sealing. Make an appointment online or call us at (573) 431-2707 today.