I Live in Maryland: Can Insulation Help Lower My Energy Bill?

Looking to lower your energy bill as you begin to spend more at home? COVID-19 has upended our entire lives, but we cannot ignore that we are lucky we have a roof over our heads to keep us well and safe during this turbulent time. However, as we’ll be spending more time at home, as the warm weather begins to take hold, we will undoubtedly be reaching for the thermostat to start up our air conditioning units. While of course we want to stay cool and comfortable over the summer months, over-using your air conditioning is a surefire way to ensure you are slapped with a hefty energy bill, which no one wants. 

In fact, did you know heating and cooling accounts for about 48% of the energy use  in a typical U.S. home, making it the largest energy expense for most homes? The good news is there are ways you can reduce your energy bill, play your part in helping the environment and ensure you are comfortable while social distancing. How? Proper and adequate insulation. If you live in Maryland, this article will be of particular interest to you. It will provide you with the information you need to know about insulating your Maryland home, and why now is the best time to do it.

Insulating Your Maryland Home - Is it Necessary? 

You may be wondering if it is even necessary to insulate your home in Maryland. The varied weather throughout Maryland means you need to weather-proof your home if you want to keep your energy bills low across the year. While there are countless home improvement projects that improve your home’s energy efficiency, none do it quite as well as insulation. And not to mention inadequate insulation is one of the major causes of energy waste in most homes. Here are just a few of the benefits of insulating your home when you live in Maryland: 

• Help keep a comfortable temperature throughout your home
• Keep the heat in, and the cold out, of your home during the winter (and vice versa in summer)
• Reduce your energy bills
• Lower your home’s carbon emissions

What is Insulation and How Does it Work? 

Insulation is one of the most vital features of any energy efficient home. Insulation works to stop the natural transfer of heat. In winter, it stops the cold air from outside penetrating the inside of your house. And, during summer, insulation helps trap cool, conditioned air inside the home, while resisting the heat from outside.

Insulation reduces your energy bill in summer (and year round) by providing an effective resistance to the flow of cool air. It helps ensure the cool, conditioned air stays inside the house and in the spaces you want it to be.

The Different Types of Insulation

When it comes to insulating your Maryland home, there are plenty of different choices available to you. The material you choose will depend on which part of the house you are insulating, and how easily accessible the space is you need to insulate.

Blanket: Batt and Roll Insulation

Blanket insulation is one of the most common and widely available types of insulation. It comes in the form of either batts or rolls. It is made up of flexible fibers – the most common fiber being fiberglass. There are also batts and rolls that consist of mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep wool.

Rigid Foam Insulation

Foam boards, which are rigid panels of insulation, can be used to insulate almost any part of your home. It is particularly effective for exterior wall sheathing, interior sheathing for basements and special applications like attic hatches. The most common types of materials used in making rigid foam insulation include; polystyrene, polyisocyanurate and polyurethane.

Loose-Fill Insulation

Loose-fill insulation is another popular insulation choice and is ideal for homes in Maryland. It is commonly made from small particles of fiber, foam or other kinds of materials such as cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock or slag) wool. The small particles form an insulation material that can mold to any space without altering the structure or finish of it, making it a good option for locations where it would be difficult to install other types of insulation.

Need Some Expert Advice? 

Despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis, WoW is still business as usual with new health and safety regulations in place to ensure work on your home is done in a safe and hygienic manner. We offer virtual consultations and have a range of new practices in place to keep worksites healthy and in-line with government legislation around social distancing. If you are interested in insulating your home, get in touch with WoW today for our expert help.