Is My Home Properly Insulated?

Lake of the Ozarks’ residents are experiencing high temperatures and lots of humidity this time of year. An insulation inspection with A B Pest Control and Insulation could help you determine if the quality of your home comfort could be improved, and even save money on your energy bills. If your home is poorly insulated, your AC could be working overtime. Your favorite Lake of the Ozarks pest control and insulation company has a few tips to use to determine if your home might need more insulation.

Check Your Walls

If your home is newly constructed, you could ask your contractor where your home is insulated. Otherwise, you will need to check yourself. You can do this by checking the insulation levels around the outlets. Make sure the electricity is turned off before you start your check. Remove the outlet cover and shine a flashlight into the crack around the outlet box. You should be able to see if there is insulation and how thick it is. Check outlets on all floors, even new parts of your home. Just because there is insulation in one wall, it doesn’t mean the whole home is insulated properly.

Check the Attic

If your home has an attic, you will want to check the insulation levels there as well. There are two ways to check the levels. The first method is to check to see if the insulation levels are with or below the attic floor joist. If so, you may need to add more insulation. If you cannot see any of the floor joist because the insulation is well above them, you probably have enough insulation and adding more will not be cost-effective. It is also important that the insulation is evenly distributed. Sometimes there is enough insulation in the middle, but the edges have very little.

The second method is to measure the insulation levels. Either read the R-value printed on the batts of your existing insulation or use a measuring tape to measure the depth of the insulation. Energy Star has a map to determine which level of insulation is best for your home. In Southern Missouri, the insulation level should be at 4. 

Photo Credit: www.energystar.gov

Beware that some attics has vermiculite insulation, which may contain asbestos. Do not disturb vermiculite insulation unless you have had it tested to be sure that it does not contain asbestos. Contact the local health department if you need to have your attic insulation tested.

Check Your Basement/Crawlspace

It is important that rim joists in the basement/crawlspace be properly insulated. You completely condition the crawlspace by using a 12-20 mil membrane with closed cell foam on foundation walls and rim boards to completely seal out air and moisture from the outside. 

Insure Your Home Is Properly Insulated with A B Pest Control and Insulation!

The easiest and most efficient way to insure that your home has the proper insulation levels is to call a professional. A B Pest Control and Insulation can evaluate your home and make the proper recommendations for the best insulation to meet your needs. With proper insulation, your home can easily stay cool when it’s hot outside. Your Lake of the Ozarks insulation company has team members with many years of experience in the insulation business, so you can trust that we will get the job done right at a fair price. 

Lake of the Ozarks
Pest Control Company

Visit Our Website:
www.abpest.net

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Follow us on LinkedIn
Follow us on Google+