If you’re trying to keep your home at a comfortable temperature throughout the year, your HVAC system is only half of the equation. While an HVAC contractor can help maintain your central heating and provide air conditioning repair, these measures will only be partially effective unless you’re also keeping your home’s insulation in prime shape. Below, learn about home insulation and how it impacts your HVAC system. 

How Does Heat Move?

Heat naturally rises and moves from hotter areas to colder sections. It passes through most materials, though it moves more quickly between some barriers than others. This means that if you’re trying to cool your home in the summer, heat will pass from the hot outside to the colder inside. If you’re running your furnace, heat will pass from the warm interior to the cold outside. The only barriers are your walls and roof, which may not do the job without proper insulation. This temperature loss can cause your HVAC system to run more frequently than usual, leading to shorter system life and increased bills. 

What Is Insulation? 

Materials like drywall are commonly used for walls and are not efficient at trapping heat. Heat passes through these barriers and the empty space inside the walls easily. To combat this, modern homes contain insulation inside the walls and under the roof. Insulation can take many forms, including shredded paper, synthetic spray foam, or cotton fiberglass padding. This padding traps many tiny pockets of air and is made from a material that doesn’t conduct heat easily, which can help prevent heat from passing through your walls. Insulation can sometimes break down over time or get damaged or matted by pests, making it less effective at trapping heat. When this occurs, it needs to be replaced.

How Does New Insulation Help?

When your home’s insulation is kept up to date, you’ll be able to keep the house’s temperature comfortable and even, instead of worrying about drafts in the winter and hot spots in the summer. It also means that your HVAC system has less work to do. Your cold or hot air doesn’t exit the home, so your AC or heater doesn’t have to generate as much energy. This means lower energy bills since the HVAC system isn’t running as hard or as long. It also means less wear and tear on your HVAC units, so they’re less likely to break down and need repair or replacement from an HVAC contractor. When looking for an upgrade, consider the R-value of the insulation, which is how well the material can withstand heat. High R-value insulation, like closed-cell foam, will boast a more efficient result. 

If your insulation has been updated and you’re still having heating and cooling issues, contact the HVAC contractors at Alleghany Highlands Mechanical. Based in Covington, VA, this family-owned company offers cost-effective service throughout Alleghany County. They’re available 24/7 for emergencies and are committed to 100% customer satisfaction. For a free estimate, call (540) 965-0767 or visit their website.