Q: How do I know if my insulation needs replacing?

• <div><p>One of the clearest signs that your insulation isn&rsquo;t working as well as it should be is a noticeable difference in temperature throughout your home. One room might feel icy while another is hot as Arizona&mdash;this indicates that some parts of your home are either retaining or losing heat more than others. Additionally, a sudden increase in your energy bills, evidence of pests or rodents, or evident water damage are other signals that warrant a thorough inspection of your insulation and potential replacement.</p></div>

Q: Is fiberglass insulation safe for my home?

• <div><p>While fiberglass is dangerous to work with, it&rsquo;s a perfectly safe material once it&rsquo;s installed. If you&rsquo;re tackling the installation yourself, make sure you take the proper safety precautions and wear the right gear to avoid skin and eye irritation and lung complications. Working with a professional insulation company can mitigate these risks.</p></div>

Question 1

How do I know if my insulation needs replacing?

Accepted Answer

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One of the clearest signs that your insulation isn’t working as well as it should be is a noticeable difference in temperature throughout your home. One room might feel icy while another is hot as Arizona—this indicates that some parts of your home are either retaining or losing heat more than others. Additionally, a sudden increase in your energy bills, evidence of pests or rodents, or evident water damage are other signals that warrant a thorough inspection of your insulation and potential replacement.

Question 2

Is fiberglass insulation safe for my home?

Accepted Answer

•

While fiberglass is dangerous to work with, it’s a perfectly safe material once it’s installed. If you’re tackling the installation yourself, make sure you take the proper safety precautions and wear the right gear to avoid skin and eye irritation and lung complications. Working with a professional insulation company can mitigate these risks.

Question 3

Can I use fiberglass insulation to soundproof a room?

Accepted Answer

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We do not recommend fiberglass insulation for soundproofing purposes, especially if you are working on a room that’s part of your living space. Fiberglass insulation is dangerous, and the installation process is hazardous. It is also harmful to the environment. When there are so many newer, healthier non-fiberglass alternatives in the market, the lower cost of fiberglass insulation simply doesn’t justify the harm and danger it poses.

Question 4

Is it worth it to insulate a garage?

Accepted Answer

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Insulating a detached garage won't reduce your home's heating or cooling bills—and insulating an attached garage will only have a small effect on your home's energy efficiency. However, insulating an attached garage can reduce the transfer of heating and cooling to and from the outdoors, which can reduce the amount of energy your home needs to stay comfortable. Also, having an insulated garage is just more pleasant. Balance the cost of insulating your garage with how you'll use the space to determine if the project is worth it.

Question 5

Does basement insulation need a vapor barrier?

Accepted Answer

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Yes, basement insulation needs a vapor barrier due to its susceptibility to moisture seeping in from the outside of the house. You should install a moisture barrier before you install insulation or purchase insulation that comes prebuilt with a moisture barrier to avoid water damage in your insulation and costly mold and water remediation expenses.