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Buying a house with vermiculite insulation is not recommended without going through a proper testing process. Vermiculite insulation can potentially contain asbestos, which poses health risks when disturbed. While it is possible to purchase a home with vermiculite insulation, you should have it tested for asbestos, and ensure proper containment if asbestos is present. If asbestos is present, you will want to hire a professional to remove it, ideally before you move in.

Roof vents help cool a house because as they allow hot air to escape, the temperature regulates inside the attic. If vents are defective or there are not as many as there should be, the attic becomes hot and stuffy. Without roof vents, air conditioning has to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature in the attic.

You should insulate ducts in a crawl space if you live in a colder climate or you run your air conditioning for most of the year. Insulating ducts doesn't take too much time or investment and can make a big difference on your electricity bill. While this is more difficult in a crawl space, if any ductwork is being done either you or a professional will be down there anyway. A bonus benefit is since they will be putting off less hot or cold air they'll be less attractive to any unwanted pests in the home.

It is possible to insulate your walls without removing drywall, but it’s not a good idea to attempt the work yourself. A professional can use blown-in insulation or spray foam insulation to fill wall voids without opening up the walls, and the option they use typically depends on your climate and whether or not there’s insulation in your wall already that can remain in place. Spray foam insulation costs more and isn’t always a viable option, but it’s a better insulator. Call in an expert to help decide which is right for you.