Wisconsin weather presents unique challenges to homeowners who are hoping to keep their living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and other rooms as comfortable as possible. When the snow starts to fall along with the temperatures in Wisconsin, homeowners want to know how to leverage home improvements, including floor insulation, crawlspace insulation, and attic insulation, to upgrade the comfort of their homes without breaking the bank on those improvements or on their monthly heating bills.
The right home improvement specialists, such as the team at Wisconsin Home Improvement Co. LLC, can help homeowners assess their current situation and recommend changes to keep their homes warm, welcoming, and cozy all year long.
1. Start with a Home Performance Audit
Before making any investments to replace insulation or make other upgrades, the best place for most homeowners to start is with a professional home performance audit. A home improvement audit is an in-depth home assessment that uses in-home performance diagnostic technology to accurately find air leaks that may be causing drafts, aging insulation that may be allowing heat transfer, and any other areas that could be contributing to a chilly house in the winter. Reach out to a trusted team, like the experts at Wisconsin Home Improvement, to schedule a home performance audit before making any major changes.
2. Update Your Old Insulation
The reality is the majority of homeowners fail to think about upgrading their insulation and air sealing when it comes time to update their homes. However, before it is possible to update insulation, it is critical to first remove any old, deteriorated insulation. Insulation is prone to damage during construction projects and can also be subject to moisture damage and mold growth as well as pest infestations over time. Professional insulation removal provides a clean slate for new insulation to perform at its highest rating.
Once the old insulation has been cleared out, a trusted professional can install fresh insulation, and homeowners can start immediately reaping the benefits of a warmer and more energy efficient home.
3. Crawl Space Insulation
Anyone who has ever opened their eyes on a cold winter morning, hit the snooze button, and then finally mustered up the courage to get out of bed and start the day only to put their feet down on a floor that feels like ice needs to give a thought to the efficiency of their crawlspace insulation. The crawlspace is the area underneath a home that is prone to deterioration of insulation as well as air leaks that allow the cold outdoor air to infiltrate the living space. Insulating the crawlspace and air sealing the area will ensure that homeowners do not have to deal with cold floors on icy winter mornings.
4. Floor Insulation
If cold floors are a major concern, the home may also be a good candidate for floor insulation. Most homeowners don’t realize this is even an option, considering that walls and attics are where most people think to insulate. Floor insulation can further prevent cold floors throughout a multi-level home and put an end to the heat transfer that can happen from room to room. Insulation acts as a shield against the transfer of heat, which means that it not only prevents heat from leaving the home in the winter, but also keeps heat from infiltrating the home in the summer, helping homeowners save on energy while enjoying a more comfortable home year-round.
5. Attic Insulation
Many homeowners in Wisconsin are not strangers to ice dams. An ice dam occurs when heat escaping from a home’s attic melts the bottom layer of snow on the roof and then drains to the edge of the roof where temperatures are colder before refreezing. Essentially, ice dams prevent melted snow and ice from properly draining off the roof, sending water back under the shingles and into the roof, often leading to costly water damage.
From the description of how an ice dam forms, it should be clear that insufficient air sealing and insulation in the attic is often to blame. Deteriorated or insufficient attic insulation allows heat inside the home to escape through the materials that make up the attic and roof. The heat then melts the bottom layer of snow accumulation on your roof. Attic insulation is the most effective measure for ice dam prevention, and it is typically much more affordable than dealing with the aftermath of an ice dam.
Get Started Today with Wisconsin Home Improvement
The insulation in a home can and should keep its occupants comfortable and cozy all through the Wisconsin winter. As mentioned, the benefits extend beyond combating the frigid winter temperatures. Upgrading your insulation will also keep the heat out of your home in the summer, providing year-round comfort and savings.
Keep your home comfortable all year when you upgrade your insulation with the experts at Wisconsin Home Improvement. Contact us today to schedule a home performance audit.
