Do you loathe looking at your energy bill? It can be emotionally exhausting watching your hard-earned money burn away every month. Surprisingly, one simple investment can go a long way to reducing your energy expenditures: insulating the crawlspace!
Insulation Benefits in the Summer
During the summer, do you notice that you have to crank the A/C system to the max to get any relief from the unrelenting summer heat? If your crawlspace is not insulated, the air that you pay so much to cool will just seep outside. Meanwhile, that scorching hot summer air is more likely to enter your home because of a lack of insulation. By insulating your house, you can keep the hot air out, and the cool air in.
Insulation Benefits in the Winter
The reverse logic applies in the winter months. When you pay to heat your interior air and make your home cozy, you want that air to stay inside. Likewise, you want the frosty winter air to stay outside of your home, which will only happen if you invest in insulation in your crawlspace.
New versus Old Homes
If your house is new, then your crawlspace is typically airtight with no ventilation. Nonetheless, the base needs to be insulated. It is always best to get a professional to look at the crawlspace and install insulation correctly – you don’t want to take any chances. If you are more of a do-it-yourself person, then you can take the task on by yourself. Here is what you need to do:
- Get in the crawlspace and make sure everything is completely dry before you move on to the next step. If you do notice signs of moisture or dampness, call in the pros, because it could mean you have a roof or a crack.
- Insulate the walls with spray foam and band boards. Leave the ceiling and floor open.
- Before you seal the crawlspace, add a water vapour barrier on the crawlspace floor.
- Finally, tightly seal the crawlspace.
If your house is old, then your crawlspace likely has air vents to the outside. If your crawlspace has air vents, then insulate the floor, not the walls. Finally, wrap pipes in insulation to reduce the risk of burst pipes in the winter.
A crawlspace should not be treated any differently from the attic and the basement. It is a means for warm/cool air to escape and enter your house. Give The Crack Doctor a call to discuss our crawlspace solutions to address issues like wasted energy, wood rot, mould, mildew, condensation, and high humidity. 1-866-788-3288
