Common Causes of Insulation Failure
Your home’s insulation is very important. Not only does it help reduce heating and cooling costs, but it also makes your home comfortable. If something goes wrong or your insulation becomes damaged, your home could suffer in several ways. To help prevent your insulation from becoming damaged, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with some common causes of insulation failure that might occur.
The most common sources of insulation failure
Electrical Stresses
Overvoltage and impulses lead to electrical stress, which leads to insulation failure. In this scenario, the electric stress goes over the electrical field strength of the insulation, allowing a failure to occur. This failure occurs in the form of corona, ionization, or electric arc. Unfortunately, this failure leads to structural damage and degradation of the insulation as well.
Aging of Insulation
This specific failure of insulation is a slow process. It is a gradual spiral of decline for the insulation as a whole. There will come a time, however, when the insulation reaches a point that aging will speed up and come at a faster fate. This is not something you can fix or prevent; it just happens as time goes on.
Contaminants Enter Insulation
Whether it is dirt, moisture, or another foreign matter, any type of contaminant can cause insulation to fail. When pinholes and cracks occur, and contaminants get into those spaces, the insulation will begin to fail. At times, the contaminants may work together to create an excessive current that goes through the insulation and causes resistance.
These are not the only common causes of insulation failure, but they are at the top of the list. If you notice that your energy bills have gone up or you are having a hard time keeping your home at a comfortable temperature, one of the above signs of insulation failure may be to blame. Be an observant and responsible homeowner and look out for these common causes of insulation failure.
What are the two results of insulation failure?
There are two big concerns to have with poor insulation.
High Energy Bills
Poor insulation is one of the best ways to waste money on your heating and cooling bills and decrease your home’s energy efficiency. The less insulation you have, the more heat escapes through poorly insulated areas in your home. This results in more energy consumption. Windows that are exposed to harsh weather conditions like heavy winds can be extremely vulnerable. Properly insulated windows mean lower energy costs for heating and cooling as a whole, which reduces each month’s bill significantly.
Water and Mold Issues Insulation prevents this process from occurring because it keeps each room at a constant temperature throughout the year without any fluctuations between winter and summer seasons, even when temperatures fluctuate considerably.
Not only does insulation help improve the structural integrity of your house, but it also helps prevent costly water damage that can lead to more expensive repairs down the road. By preventing these two problems (mold & moisture), you’ll save money in the long run.
In fact, if you live in an area where it gets very cold (below freezing), adding insulation helps reduce overhead heating by up to 30%. That adds up quickly over time!
What happens if insulation fails?
Lack of insulation means your home will keep you uncomfortable year-round. A well-insulated house makes it more energy-efficient. It reduces the risk of air leakage from windows, doors, or cracks and around electrical outlets. This is especially true if you have wall insulation installed. (There are many types of insulation you can choose from though). Proper home insulation keeps hot and cool air consistent throughout your home, so you don’t have some hot and some cold rooms during the winter months.
Who can help fix my insulation problems?
If you are searching for an insulation contractor in Rockford, Illinois, reach out to our team at Comfort First Insulation and Energy Solution. At Comfort First Insulation and Energy Solution. we want to do our part in making sure your insulation is in great condition. Visit our website or give us a call today.