Many homeowners and renters typically think of insulation as a way to keep their homes warm in the winter. That’s true but what’s so often forgotten is that insulation is important to staying cool in the summer! Insulation is an all-season, all-weather energy efficiency component that will save you energy and money year-round. Here are 5 (of many!) reasons why your home’s insulation is crucial to a summer of savings, comfort, and protection.

Stops Heat Transfer

Insulation resists the transfer of heat from one place to another. In the winter, insulation prevents the warmth from your heating system from leaving your house. During the summer, it keeps the hot temperatures outside, leaving your home nice and cool. “Insulation is important because of its ability to reduce the amount of heat that flows between the inside and outside of your home,” says the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). “The ability of insulation material to reduce heat flow is called its R-value. The greater the R-value, the more this heat flow is reduced.” Read more about insulation and R-value here.

Saves Money

When your insulation is old or below today’s standards, you will likely see it reflected in your monthly energy costs. High energy costs are often the result of a home that is compromised by the outdoor temps. Your cooling system works harder to keep your home comfortable, which means you’re consuming more energy (and wasting money). According to the U.S. DOE, “you can save up to 20% on your home’s heating and cooling costs or up to 10% on its total energy costs by adding insulation to attics, floors, crawl spaces, and accessible basement rim joists.” Looking for more ways to save money this summer? Click here.

Protects Your Cooling System

The heat gained in your home must be removed by your cooling system, but it’s designed to cool, so what’s the big deal, right? Wrong. When your cooling system is overworked, its lifespan is shortened and it could need costly repairs sooner than normal. Surprise breakdowns can also come into play when your AC is working overtime and under difficult conditions. When your home’s insulation and air sealing are updated like they should be, they protect your investment and allow it to work under circumstances it is built for. If you think you need a new cooling system, read this.

Prevents Moisture Build Up

According to the U.S. DOE, moisture issues “can affect occupants’ health and the structure’s durability.” So how does moisture get into your home and cause problems? Moisture moves in and out of your home in three ways: with air currents, by diffusion through materials, or by heat transfer. The combination of air sealing and insulation is an effective way to battle moisture in your home, helping to improve air quality by preventing things like mold growth. For individuals in the home with allergies, weakened immune systems, or lung issues, air quality is extremely important. Babies and children are also at an increased risk of negative side effects due to poor air quality.

Maintains Comfort Level

Don’t settle for being uncomfortable at home during the summer. There are many things you can do to improve year-round comfort, even during seasons with more extreme temps like winter and summer. If hot air is being transferred inside your home, no matter how great your cooling system is, it’s going to have a hard time keeping up and it won’t perform as efficiently as it could. Upgrading your insulation is one way to stay cool when it gets hot out and keep the heat outside. According to energystar.gov, “insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year.”

It’s clear that insulation is an effective way to improve the energy efficiency of your home during the summer, and it provides pretty incredible benefits like lower energy costs and improved home comfort. So what are you waiting for? If you’re worried about the cost of the project, we have good news for you!

The sponsors of the Mass Save® program are offering 75-100% off approved insulation upgrades for Massachusetts residents. There’s no catch! You support the Mass Save program with an energy efficiency charge on your utility bill, so participation is at no additional cost to you. (Look at your bill!)

All you have to do is sign up for a no-cost Home Energy Assessment, virtually or in-person, and you get access to the generous rebates and incentives like 75%+ off insulation, 100% off air sealing, 0% financing, and up to $2,750 in HVAC equipment rebates. Sign up here today or call (781) 305-3319 to schedule over the phone. We’ve already helped more than 125,000 neighbors lower their energy costs and make their home more comfortable and we hope that you’re next!