With fall approaching in the San Joaquin Valley, the need for air conditioning will decrease as the cold weather approaches. Before the first cold snap arrives, you’ll have time to check your insulation. The changing of the seasons is the perfect time to check levels of insulating materials to make sure you have enough for the coming winter.
Without proper insulation, heat will more easily transfer between the inside and outside of your home. In the winter, this means heat will escape to the outside, forcing your furnace or heat pump to work harder to heat the air inside. Adequate insulation also provides a benefit in the summer, keeping heat from radiating through your home’s walls and attic floor.
What kind of insulation levels do we need in the Fresno area?
- The recommended levels for the ceiling is R49.
- The recommended levels for wood frame walls is R29.
If you find that you do not have enough insulating materials in place, you can install it yourself or have a professional do it. The following types of insulating materials are available:
- Fiberglass batt – This is the material you see in large pink rolls.
- Cellulose blown-in – This material that comes in bales and requires a blower for proper installation.
- Spray foam – This product goes into the cavities between rafters and studs to block airflow.
There are other options available, but those are the most common.
You may not have any idea on how to evaluate how much thermal protection you have in your home. Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Most homeowners are not experts in this area. For a proper evaluation and recommendation, bring in an HVAC expert.
If you want an expert to check your current insulation levels, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning. We have been proudly serving the San Joaquin Valley for almost 40 years. Give us a call today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about insulation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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