A crawlspace refers to the narrow area between the ground and the first floor that provides easy access to your plumbing and wiring systems. Although these spaces are often smaller, unheated, and unlivable, they can make a significant difference to your home when they have been insulated. Many homeowners may find it difficult to spend their hard-earned cash on crawlspace insulation. However, it is an investment that offers long-term cost savings on your monthly energy bills.
Since most crawlspaces are often overlooked, they can become safe havens for rodents, pests, and mold infestations. They also provide a gateway for allergens that infiltrate your home through forced air systems. In this article, we will be discussing some of the top benefits of insulating your crawlspace.
Increases energy efficiency
Insulation blocks the air in the crawlspace from interfering with the temperature inside your home. This creates massive savings on your monthly energy bills since your home is insulated from extreme weather conditions like cold snaps and heat waves. Crawl space insulation also prevents any installed ductwork from losing heat. This means you will use less energy to maintain comfortable temperature levels throughout your home.
Improves structural integrity
Insulate your crawl space for energy efficiency
High humidity and vapor levels in your crawlspace can cause wooden frames or floorings in your home to weaken. Failure to solve this problem in time can weaken the wooden frames and floorings in your home to weaken. Investing in a solid crawlspace encapsulation prevents the wooden structures in your home from rotting and sinking in thus maintaining the structural integrity of your home. The insulation should be airtight when installed to prevent it from getting wet or damaged.
Protects your home from mold growth
Water leakages or high humidity levels can create an ideal breeding ground for mold. The combination of high moisture levels and a dark space can create a mold problem that extends to your living space and other areas of your home. Professional insulation makes your crawlspace airtight and dry, preventing any chances of mold growth infestation. Not only will you avoid a major health hazard but you will also save money on repairs and mitigation procedures.
It reduces pest infestation
Many pests such as cockroaches, termites, mice, and spiders thrive well in dark and damp environments. A crawlspace that isn’t encapsulated can attract all kinds of pests into your home. Professional insulation prevents any pests from building a home in your crawlspace. This helps to reduce the amount of damage these pests can cause in your home. They can chew on any pipes, wiring, or wooden structures in your crawlspace, causing expensive repairs.
It improves your indoor air quality
An insulated crawlspace prevents mold growth and pest infestations which can interfere with the air you breathe indoors. Since an encapsulated crawlspace eliminates any allergens from pests and airborne mold, it drastically improves the indoor air quality in your home. You won’t have to worry about airborne illnesses caused by mold, pests, and bacteria because the airtight insulation reduces their chances of breeding in your crawlspace.
It prolongs the lifespan of your HVAC system
The warm or cool air originating from your HVAC system can easily escape into a crawlspace that isn’t insulated. This means that your HVAC system will be working harder than it should regulate and maintain the desired temperature in your home. If this continues for a very long time, it can lead to increased energy costs and premature failure of your HVAC system. Insulating your crawlspace maintains a consistent temperature inside your home thus extending the lifespan of your HVAC equipment.
Increases the value of your home
If you are thinking of selling your home in the future, you are more likely to win potential buyers if you have a well-insulated crawlspace. It shows new homeowners that you already took measures to improve the structural integrity and energy efficiency of your home. It also shows that your home has been well-maintained and you have kept it in pristine condition. Since an insulated crawlspace can add up to 10% value to your home, it can offer a great return on investment for the small cost and amount of work you put into it.
Cleaning your crawlspace before insulation eradicates existing pets improves your indoor air quality. The addition of a moisture barrier also improves your indoor humidity levels, thus reducing the chances of mold growth. Investing in professional crawlspace insulation offers long-term benefits that promote healthier living and increased cost savings on your monthly energy bills.
