Your HVAC system is likely the most expensive appliance in your home. It makes sense to protect that investment.
Without proper attic insulation, your HVAC unit has to work twice as hard to keep your home comfortable.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn the Chicago area has high humidity. Our annual average humidity level is 71%, and because of our “peculiar” winter air quality, it’s even higher during cold weather. (At lower temperatures, most air contains less moisture.)
Chicago’s winter humidity tends to be higher than summer, despite occasional influxes of humid air from the Gulf of Mexico.
Attic Insulation Helps With Humidity in Northern Illinois Homes
Ninety percent of our homes are under-insulated. Adding home insulation works to control humidity levels, something we need in Northern Illinois and the Great Lakes region. What type and how much attic insulation you have will affect humidity levels.
Some DIYers buy big-box-store insulation rolls and stuff them into their attics. They think they’ve done a fine job, but they may have worsened the problem.
Good air circulation is needed to lower humidity levels. By compressing your insulation, you’ve reduced air circulation and lessened the benefits of attic insulation.
Moisture Control Is Key to Comfort
It doesn’t take much moisture to raise the humidity in a home; it can quickly go from 15% to 60%. If the humidity is higher than 50%, it’s not only uncomfortable, it can cause property damage and impact health.
When condensation and mold form in your home, the air can carry contaminants. If you have infants, elderly, or family members with allergies or ongoing health issues, unsafe air is a real problem.
If your attic insulation is damaged by mold, moisture or rodent activity, it’s safer to remove it and replace it with new insulation. If your insulation is undamaged but inadequate, adding insulation is an option. Adding insulation is called retrofitting.
Retrofitting or replacing insulation is a good investment. It will hold your home’s ambient temperature consistently and comfortably while preventing humidity and moisture fluctuations. It’s a win-win because it will also lower your monthly heating and cooling costs.
Which Attic Insulation Is Best: Fiberglass or Cellulose?
When it comes to humidity control, fiberglass attic insulation wins, hands down.
Cellulose insulation has a great R-value and is environmentally friendlier, but it’s more susceptible to moisture damage. If it gets wet, mold can grow before it dries. Cellulose is also more likely to “settle,” and compression reduces the R-value.
Blown-in fiberglass insulation:
- Can be more efficient insulation than batting
- Has noise reduction properties
- Improves fire resistance
- Improves HVAC performance
- Is energy-efficient
- Offers year-round comfort
- Provides greater moisture control and mold-resistance
Fiberglass batt (aka “blanket”) insulation:
- Does not settle over time
- Frequently used in walls and attics
- Has soundproofing properties
- Improves HVAC performance
- Is manufactured using sand and recycled glass, making it more eco-friendly
- Is more often used in basements and crawl spaces
- Usually costs less
ThermaSeal/Lakeside: Chicago’s Insulation Contractors
Why should you choose ThermaSeal/Lakeside Insulation for attic insulation in your Chicago-area home? For over 20 years, we have provided superior quality work and customer care to our friends and neighbors in Northern Illinois (like you).
We’ll partner with you to find insulation solutions that are customized for your commercial or residential property as well as your budget.
What do you need? With ThermaSeal/Lakeside Insulation, you’ll get affordable, top-quality insulation professionally installed on time and within budget.
Call 800-836-2535 or contact ThermaSeal/Lakeside to learn more or request a free estimate.
