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Can You Have Too Much Insulation In A Home In Florida?

As they say, you can’t have too much of a good thing. If you’ve ever heard this, you would be right to remain skeptical. There are just some things that should have a limit. Is insulation one of them? While it’s smart to spray foam your entire house in Florida, this substance should be handled mindfully. Find out what happens when you overdo your spray foam application before calling Foam Bear Orlando for expert installation near you!

Thick or Layered Insulation Can Impede Ventilation

So to answer your question, yes, you can have too much insulation in your Florida home. It might seem like fair logic to assume that extra padding would bring additional thermal properties. Unfortunately, things don’t quite work that way. When your insulation (including spray foam insulation) is layered on too thick, the results can be counterintuitive. What do we mean by that? Let’s review a couple of examples:

Let’s say you hired a professional installer to reinforce your attic with spray foam insulation. They’ve taken every consideration into account to provide you with the most efficient application of foam to effectively insulate your space. Against your expert’s recommendations, you decide to pile on a second layer anyway. Because of the increased thickness of your insulation, your attic will become stuffy and almost unbearable.

Spray foam is already a better insulator than most other materials. Adding more on top of your existing layer can cost you more without any clear benefit. So while high-density foam is good for insulation, applying these dense layers on top of each other can do more harm than good.

Highly-Insulated Walls Can Trap Moisture

Air-sealing your home with spray foam is a great way to combat moisture damage and prevent condensation. That is, when the recommended amount is being used. Piling on insulation can cause you to go full circle, inducing condensation and trapping moisture from not having enough room to breathe. Remember why you got spray foam insulation in the first place and use it as intended for the best results!

Over Insulating Can Backfire Financially

We’ve already touched on cost, but let’s put the full scale into perspective. When you invest in an energy-efficient home upgrade like spray foam insulation, you are faced with a factor known as ROI (or return on investment). Your ROI timer starts at the point of installation. For each month you save on energy usage, the closer you get to earning back the cost of your new insulation.

When you apply a second layer of spray foam, you are practically doubling the amount of time it will take for you to meet your ROI. Trust in your local insulation experts to find the balance in saving energy in a cost-effective way.

Find the Right Balance With a Zero Energy Home

Achieving balance is the equivalent of building a “zero energy” home where the savings from your insulation are enough to counteract your energy costs. For Florida, the ideal R-values for each aspect of the home are as follows:

• 13-20 for framed walls
• 19-38 for roofing
• 8-30 for the floor

The exact values can differ between properties, taking into account the home’s structure and the type of material being used for insulation. For more accurate numbers curated to your exact property, get in touch with one of our spray foam experts!

Insulate the Right Way By Hiring the Spray Foam Professionals at Foam Bear

Worried about going too far with your spray foam insulation? To ensure an energy-friendly home with cost-effective solutions, consult your local insulation professionals at Foam Bear Orlando! Call us today at (727) 580-1090 for a free estimate on our spray foam services.

How Do I Know If My Home’s Insulation Needs To Be Replaced?

Your insulation may be hidden within the walls, but that doesn’t mean you can avoid a replacement when needed. But since you can’t see it, how do you know when that time comes? Being your trusted insulation experts near you, Foam Bear Orlando can show you some signs on how to know if your home’s insulation needs to be replaced.

Replacing Old Insulation Is Not Optional

Many homeowners don’t realize that insulation isn’t something you set and forget. It’s possible for your insulation to become too old to fulfill its purpose, but the task of replacing it is often neglected. If you’re one of the many who didn’t know that insulation needs to be replaced, there’s no need to worry because that changes today! The first step is learning why a replacement is necessary, so let’s get to it.

There are plenty of different types of insulation materials, and each of them has its own expected lifespan. For example, fiberglass insulation (or batt and roll insulation) needs to be replaced around every 10-15 years. Despite being the most common type of insulation, there’s a high percentage of homeowners who don’t replace their fiberglass even when it’s long past its expiry date. This can result in a great number of downsides, such as poor energy efficiency, higher electric bills, loss of structural integrity, and much more.

Now that you understand old insulation needs to be replaced, the next step is to know the signs of when it’s time to look into vacuum and removal services so you can say goodbye to your old insulation and hello to a brand-new replacement!

Subtle Signs That the Need For a Replacement Is Imminent

There are all kinds of damages that can occur when you don’t replace your old insulation, with some symptoms that progress slower than others. When it comes to damage over time, here’s what you should keep an eye out for so you know when to start planning your insulation replacement:

• Your air conditioner is having a hard time maintaining the temperature on your thermostat. This means that your insulation is becoming too worn out to deliver optimal thermal properties.
• There’s been a noticeable increase in your energy charges. This is because your HVAC is your biggest energy user, and it’s working overtime to compensate for your insulation’s inability to do its job.
• Small drafts have started becoming apparent. Over time, your insulation may wither away in some areas leaving behind an exposed opening for air to travel through

These are all negative effects of old insulation that grows over a period of time. While they may not evoke a sense of urgency, you should still expect to have your insulation replaced in the near future. The longer you wait, the worse your situation becomes.

When Insulation Replacement Becomes an Urgent Matter

You may come across other signs of old insulation that need to be addressed promptly. The most urgent situations are a direct threat to your well-being. This can include safety hazards like structural dangers or possible health risks ranging from allergic reactions to respiratory problems. Be on the lookout for these concerning signs:

• An odor that suggests mold, mildew, or rot
• Visible water spots along the walls or ceiling
• Bugs, rodents, or droppings that can harbor diseases

Unlike the signs mentioned in the previous section, these occurrences are a bit harder to miss and they can’t be slept on. Whether it be deteriorating structures or bacteria exposure, waiting to replace your insulation in these conditions can be incredibly risky. It’s crucial to have your insulation replaced by trusted professionals in the area for a safer home.

Foam Bear Is Your Reputable Spray Foam Company For Insulation Replacement In Orlando!

Does your home’s insulation need to be replaced? Call Foam Bear Orlando today at (727) 580-1090 to ask us for a free estimate! We offer expert insulation removal services and premium spray foam installation, making us your go-to place for all things insulation.