Have you ever considered new insulation in your attic? What about the crawl space? Replacing or updating your attic insulation makes your home more energy-efficient and comfortable. However, many homeowners don’t understand how vital crawl space insulation can be.
When you talk to your insulation installers about the project, ask them about adding material to your crawl spaces. Otherwise, you may end up with an overabundance of allergens, rodents, and pests, and you might experience poor indoor air quality.
What Is a Crawl Space?
A crawl space is similar to a basement but has easier access to outdoor air through a vent. Some crawl spaces are large, like a basement, while others may only be two feet tall. The only way to navigate through these tight spaces is to crawl.
The primary reason a home may have a crawl space is cost-effectiveness. This is because dirt does not need to be moved or slopes leveled for a concrete foundation to be poured.
Top Benefits of Crawl Space Insulation
According to the Department of Energy, crawl spaces are among the most important areas to insulate in homes. Unfortunately, they are often neglected because they are dark, enclosed, and covered in cobwebs or other unknown debris.
Because your crawl space is usually located between the ground and your first floor, leaving it uninsulated could lead to issues. Adding or replacing old insulation there is a quick home improvement project that provides some notable benefits for your residence.
Financial Savings
Crawl space insulation is a minimally invasive home renovation that adds valuable savings. You’ll notice lower energy bills every year because the air is more likely to remain at a consistent temperature and will not escape your home.
However, one crucial step must be done before beginning any insulation project. Check for mold, mildew, or pest infestations because they must be removed before placing new insulation.
Energy Savings
Whether they are trying to be more eco-friendly or trying to save money, most homeowners search for ways to reduce their energy consumption. Gaps in your home create an exit for heated or cooled air to escape. This causes your HVAC system to work harder and use more energy (and increase your monthly bill).
By sealing your home, including the crawl space, you can reduce the amount of energy needed to maintain a comfortable temperature within your home.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
There’s been a lot of attention on outdoor air pollution in recent years. But many people don’t consider the amount of indoor pollution they face every day. We keep our homes closed off to help regulate the temperature, but that also reduces the amount of fresh airflow and can increase mold, mildew, and other allergens.
Having an unaddressed rodent problem can make things even worse for you. These pests carry dangerous viruses and bacteria in their urine and feces that can circulate through air vents and eventually into the air you breathe.
Cleaning your crawl space and adding a moisture barrier with insulation will help improve humidity levels and ultimately improve your indoor air quality.
As you can see, adding insulation to your crawl space provides you and your family with many benefits. But it doesn’t stop there! Insulating your crawl space can increase the value of your home by up to 10%!
Should you decide to sell, this upgrade makes a great selling point. It shows potential buyers that you made every effort to improve the home’s energy efficiency and protect against infestations. This small attention to detail indicates that your home is in good condition and worth the investment from those interested in making an offer.