Can You Over Insulate Your Home?

It’s no surprise to hear that your home needs insulation to function properly and be comfortable, but have you ever considered that it’s possible to have too much of a good thing? Too much insulation is something that most homeowners don’t think about, but you should! Let’s take a closer look at what insulation does for your home and why too much of it is a bad thing. 

Benefits of Good Insulation 

Proper insulation in your home is beneficial for many reasons, including: 

• Lower heating and cooling costs – a more eco-friendly home 
• A more comfortable home – fewer cold drafts, warmer floors, etc. 
• Consistent temperatures on the upper level(s) of your home 
• Less outdoor noise heard inside 
• Lower risk of frozen pipes in the winter 

Good insulation in the home is vital to having a comfortable, safe, eco-friendly home. If your home is prone to cold drafts or struggles to maintain the desired temperature, more insulation may be needed on the exterior walls or in the attic. 

Risks of Over Insulation 

The biggest risk associated with too much insulation is a lack of airflow in the home and attic. Without good airflow, moisture and humidity will sit inside the home. Over time that moisture provides the perfect breeding ground for mold. Removing mold is a costly, time-consuming process and living with mold without knowing is a serious health hazard. The air in your home will start to feel stuffy and stale since it isn’t properly ventilated out for fresh air to come in. The upper level of your home and attic are especially prone to feeling humid when too much insulation is used. 

How to Prevent Over Insulation 

The best way to prevent over insulation in your home is to not insulate your home yourself. A lot of people think adding insulation can’t possibly be that hard and turn it into a DIY job, but that’s when over insulation occurs. Contact a contractor to assess your current insulation and add more if needed. A licensed contractor will know the correct amount of insulation to use and where to use it so that over insulation doesn’t occur. They’ll also know what types of insulation to use in different areas of the home to provide the best temperature control without restricting airflow. 

If you think your home has already been over-insulated, the contractor can remove excess insulation as needed and check for signs of mold. Contact Anderson Insulation of Maine today to schedule an appointment with a local contractor! Our team is the insulation experts. We pride ourselves on having a great reputation, using only the highest quality products and the best installation methods for your new insulation.