How effectively insulating your home can save you money
The type and amount of insulation varies greatly by U.S. region.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - If your summer electricity bill has been high, it could be due to your home insulation.
Energy bills tend to be higher during the winter months as it takes more energy to heat a space than to cool it down, however, summer bills can also be high especially if your home’s insulation is not sufficient for the climate you live in.
In Tennessee and Kentucky, our climates tend to fall in the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) zones - Warm Humid (3A) and/or Mixed Humid (4A).
These zones are based on the recommended insulation levels for existing wood-framed buildings/homes. There are set R-levels based on your IECC Climate Zone.
According to Energy Star, which works in partnership with the EPA and Department of Energy, the R-value is a measure of insulation’s ability to resist heat traveling through it.
The higher the R-value, the better the thermal performance of the insulation. The thickness of attic insulation needed varies quite a bit for southern cities compared to northern cities.
Regardless of your IECC Climate Zone, homes with too little insulation can cause higher electricity use therefore leading to higher electricity bills.
Any holes or cracks in your home that are not sealed allow air out and in. This will affect how often your home’s heating and cooling systems run. The diagram below gives a good visualization of why that is the case.
If your attic and crawl space are properly sealed, your home can keep heat out during the summer or lock the heat in during the winter. Insulation in the attic acts as a barrier trying to enter or escape the home.
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