At First Quality Roofing & Insulation, we love answering our customers' questions and helping you understand the importance of residential insulation. Here are some of the questions we hear most, along with the answers:

Q: Why does a home need insulation?

A: Warm air naturally seeks a cooler space – indoor air tries to get out and outdoor air tries to get in. The attic is a prime location for air to try to escape and enter, which is why insulation is needed there the most. It seals any potential air leaks, which keeps your HVAC system from having to work as hard to maintain the set temperature in your home.

Q: Does my home need insulation only in the attic?

A: Actually, there are dozens of places throughout a home that can benefit from insulation. But air is most likely to escape and enter a home through its “envelope,” a builder term that refers to a home's roof, attic, doors, windows, exterior walls, and subfloor. In fact, many American homes lose as much as 20 percent of their conditioned air through the envelope, the U.S. Department of Energy says. Besides these areas, air leaks can occur anywhere there is even the smallest opening to the outdoors, including around cable TV lines, ducts and electrical outlets.

Q: What type of insulation should I get?

A: It depends on where the insulation is needed. The most common types of residential insulation First Quality uses are blankets (in those familiar pink batts or rolls) – loose-fill, foam, radiant barriers, reflective, and rigid insulation. Each type is good in different places around a home, and a First Quality team member can show you samples of each. When installed properly, insulation easily pays for itself.

Q: Does this mean that insulation will reduce my heating and cooling bill?

A: It absolutely should. The Department of Energy says that homeowners usually see a reduction in their bills of between 10 and 50 percent. The exact amount is impossible to predict ahead of time because it depends on a number of variables, including the size of your home, the veracity of your heating and cooling system and how you use it. But even a 10 percent savings is significant. And this isn't the only benefit you'll derive from residential insulation.

Q: What are the other benefits?

A: The temperature in your home should be more consistent from room to room. And if you plug air leaks before insulation is installed, you should notice a significant reduction in drafts. Insulation also stops dirt, dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants from entering your home, not to mention insects, rodents and other animals.

Q: Can I install insulation myself or should I hire a professional insulation contractor?

A: The truth is, many homeowners who attempt to install insulation themselves discover that the job is more complicated than they thought. So, they turn to a professional who is trained to assess the condition of the insulation already in place and how to install new insulation properly, especially in tricky places, such as around lighting and water pipes. A professional contractor will also ensure that your attic is properly ventilated; if it's not, the insulation will not perform as it should.

Do You Have Sufficient Residential Insulation?

If you suspect that your home could benefit from an insulation inspection, contact First Quality Roofing & Insulation. We not only have all the answers to your questions; we have the skill to make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable, too. For more information on residential insulation or to schedule an on-site inspection, call 702-262-7847 today.