A neglected crawlspace can get nasty fast. Between the moisture, dust-buildups, and infestations of pests, plenty can go wrong if a crawlspace is left alone. As tempting as it is to leave these narrow spaces out of sight and out of mind, you’re better off keeping them maintained. Insulating your crawlspaces is a great way to stay on top of this problem area. Installing insulation is relatively cheap and easy, and it will have an overall positive impact on your home. These are the five principal reasons to insulate your crawlspaces.
Stop Drafts, Regulate Temperature
The rooms adjacent to crawlspaces are often colder or warmer than the rest of the house. This is because the empty spaces beyond the walls are perfect for trapping hot air or producing cold drafts. Once you’ve got some insulation installed, it will be much easier to regulate the temperature in nearby rooms.
Increase Energy Efficiency
As long as your crawlspaces remain uninsulated, your heating and air conditioning systems will have to work extra hard to regulate the temperature in your home. All this extra work burns an inordinate amount of energy. With insulated crawl spaces, your HVAC system will work less hard and your entire home will become more energy efficient.
Shrink Your Carbon Footprint
Most scientists agree that the excessive burning of fossil fuels is doing serious harm to the planet. By insulating your crawlspaces, you are lessening your complicity in the problem and contributing to the solution. Insulation means greater efficiency, which, in essence, makes your home just a little bit “greener.” This means that the insulation project isn’t just about improving your own home; it’s also about making the world a better place.
Lower Utility Bills
With greater energy efficiency comes concurrent savings on utilities. Once your crawlspaces are insulated and your climate control can take it easier, you’ll require far less electricity than before. This brings energy costs down, meaning that, in the long run, the insulation will pay for itself and then some.
Better Air Quality in the Home
Crawlspaces tend to host copious amounts of dust, rodents, and insects, all of which pollute the surrounding air. When the crawlspaces are left without insulation, there is nothing stopping all this filth from spreading into the house. The end result, predictably, is substandard air quality in the main rooms of the home. By insulating your crawlspaces, you insert a barrier between your livings space and the nastiness behind the walls.
Insulating your crawlspaces is a necessary step toward having a safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient home. It’s simple and easy, so there’s no reason not to get to it. The next time you pay your utility bills, you’ll be glad you made the move.
