Winter in New Jersey entails chilly drafts and rising energy bills. Such issues may seem unavoidable at first. However, they are often signs that your insulation isn’t working as it’s supposed to.
This shouldn’t be the case for your home. The main reason behind this is that proper insulation serves the purpose of helping you maintain comfortable living conditions. It also prevents heat loss and minimizes strain on your heating system.
It’s crucial that you identify potential signs early on. This is the only way that you will be able to save money. You will also have the ability to keep your family cozy all season long.
This article gives clear indicators that your home requires better insulation this winter.
Installation of Roof Insulation
Uneven Temperatures Between Rooms
You may find that some areas feel cozy while others noticeably colder. Such a sign means that heat could be escaping through leaks and drafts. It could also be getting lost through poorly sealed walls and ceilings.
This kind of problem always points to weak thermal barriers that could be allowing warm air to leave and cold air to sneak in. This kind of scenario forces your heating system to work overtime. Such a situation wastes a lot of energy and increases overall monthly bills.
This is a challenge that shouldn’t be left unchecked for long. The main reason behind this is that it creates ongoing discomfort. This is especially true during the colder months of the year.
Rising Energy Bills
Poor insulation causes warm air to escape and cold drafts to creep in. Once this happens, your heating system has to work overtime in order to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. The issue with this is that it leads to increased energy bills. It also causes unnecessary wear on your equipment.
Therefore, if you happen to notice a drastic rise in energy bills, that could mean your home is struggling to retain heat during the colder months. This is especially true if there are no changes in your usage habits.
This is an issue that you need to address early on. This is crucial as it will go a long way in preventing wasted energy.
Cold Drafts Indoors
You may feel a chill near windows or doors. This simply means that warm air is escaping and cold air getting indoors.
The issue with drafts is that they make rooms quite uncomfortable. They also force your heating system to work extra hard. This ends up driving up your energy bills.
To prevent such occurrences, this is an issue that should be quickly addressed. You can do this using proper sealing and upgraded materials. Taking such an action can help create a warmer and cozier environment throughout the colder months of the year.
Ice Dams on the Roof
At times, warm air from the inside may rise and melt the snow on the roof. This makes water to run down toward the eaves where it then refreezes. This ends up creating a thick ridge of ice.
This buildup prevents proper drainage. This ends up causing water to back up under shingles and seep into ceilings and walls.
Ice dams can cause significant damage to roofing materials and gutters. They also cause a rise in heating costs due to compromised energy efficiency.
It’s crucial that you address the root cause early enough. This will help ensure both comfort and structural integrity during cold New Jersey winters.
Cold Walls, Floors, or Ceilings
You may find that these surfaces are noticeably cooler to the touch than normal. This suggests that the warmth you are paying for isn’t staying where it should. Over time, this creates an uncomfortable indoor living environment. The main reason behind this is that you won’t feel warm enough. This is no matter how high you set the thermostat.
You need to handle this problem ahead of time. This is the only way to keep your indoor spaces consistently comfortable while also reducing wasted energy.
There comes a time when your home’s insulation isn’t working as it should be. In such a situation, you get to experience high energy bills, drafts, and uncomfortable living spaces. You may also have to deal with fluctuating indoor temperatures and ice dams. These are red flags that you shouldn’t ignore for too long.
Instead, handle them early enough. This is the only way that you will be able to achieve a warmer and cozier environment. You will also be able to see improvements in energy efficiency and overall value.
