Can Insulation Improve Indoor Air Quality?
Even when we know spring is coming, it feels like seasonal allergies after winter take homeowners by surprise. If your home has lost its ability to provide a reprieve, you are among many homeowners in the Finger Lakes area looking for ways to improve the cleanliness, health, and overall quality of their indoor air.
Insulation is often touted as the home upgrade that will stabilize your indoor temperatures all year, but there is another benefit to better home insulation: better indoor air quality. Here’s how it works.
How Insulation Reduces Drafts and Outside Air Infiltration
Insulation acts as a barrier between the indoors and outdoors, preventing the transfer of heat in or out of your home. In a properly insulated home, heat stays inside in the winter and outside in the summer, making the temperatures inside a home more stable all year round. There are also insulation materials (such as spray foam) that seal up air leaks as they are installed, reducing the amount of air that is able to freely move in and out of your living spaces.
Shields Against Outdoor Pollutants
Outdoor pollutants such as pollen, dust, smoke, and chemicals will find their way into our homes through gaps and cracks in the building envelope. Stopping these pollutants from entering and contaminating indoor air can provide an immediate improvement in indoor air quality moving forward. With improved insulation and air sealing, you can enjoy cleaner and healthier indoor air, even amidst environmental disruptions like wildfires.
Reduces Moisture and Mold Growth
When humid outside air accumulates in a home, mold growth is much more likely. Proper insulation helps create a tighter building envelope, which controls moisture levels to help mitigate the growth of mold and mildew, which can trigger respiratory issues and allergies.
Enhancing HVAC Efficiency and Air Filtration
Insulation works to lessen the load required for your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner to maintain comfortable temperatures. By reducing heat losses and gains, insulation helps HVAC systems operate more efficiently, requiring less energy to maintain desired temperatures. Additionally, air filtration becomes more effective in an HVAC system that is operating at peak efficiency, capturing more airborne particles and contaminants before they circulate throughout the home. This results in cleaner indoor air and improved overall comfort for occupants all year round.
Financial Incentives for Insulation Upgrades
Investing in better insulation not only improves indoor air quality but also offers financial benefits for homeowners. Programs like the Inflation Reduction Act and rebates from organizations like the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provide incentives for energy-efficient home improvements, including insulation upgrades. These incentives can offset the upfront costs of insulation projects, making them more accessible to homeowners looking to enhance their indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
Tell a Friend About Halco and Earn up to $500
As a token of appreciation for spreading the word about our services, we're offering a referral bonus of 5% of the sale, up to $500, for each successful referral. It's our way of saying thank you for trusting us with your referrals and helping us create healthier, more comfortable homes for our community
Halco: Your Partner for Better Indoor Air Quality
Better insulation isn't just about keeping your home comfortable; it's about creating a safer and healthier living environment for you and your family. By reducing drafts, controlling moisture, and shielding against outdoor pollutants, insulation plays a vital role in improving indoor air quality.
At Halco, we're committed to helping homeowners in the Finger Lakes region achieve better indoor air quality through expert insulation services. Our team of experts understands the science behind insulation and its impact on indoor air quality. From air sealing to insulation upgrades, we tailor our services to meet the unique needs of your home, ensuring maximum comfort and efficiency. With Halco at the helm, you can breathe easier knowing that your home is protected against outdoor pollutants and enjoying cleaner, healthier indoor air year-round.
