Insulation is beneficial to your home all year round – keeping it warm in winter, and cool in summer. There are many benefits to properly insulating your home, including reduced energy bills, a reduced carbon footprint, and, more obviously, a more comfortable home. Many homes in South Africa are very inefficient at retaining heat and at energy consumption. Installing proper insulation is a cost-effective solution to this problem.
As much as 25% of your home’s heat is lost through the roof. By properly installing insulation, such as Knauf mineral wool insulation, in your home’s roof and ceiling, you could see a potential reduction in heat loss of up to 75% in those areas. You will then be able to use much less energy to heat your home, it will warm up faster, and it will retain more heat for longer after the heating is switched off. You will also benefit from a cooler home during the summer months.
There are several benefits to installing insulation in your home, including:
Increased in-home comfort
Insulation reduces heat loss or gain by providing a barrier between areas with significantly different temperatures. Ideally, properly installed insulation keeps your home warm in winter by reducing the amount of heat that escapes from your home’s interior spaces. It also keeps it cool in summer by preventing cool air from escaping and warm air from entering your home, so that your air-conditioning unit doesn’t have to work overtime. An efficiently insulated home will maintain a comfortable ambient temperature year-round, no matter how sweltering the heat or how harsh the cold.
Maximise energy savings
Because properly installed insulation keeps your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, once you have installed insulation in your home, you should notice a
significant decrease in your energy bills. Basically, installing insulation means that your heating and air conditioning units won’t have to work as hard to maintain an even temperature throughout your home. In fact, properly installed insulation offers an unbelievable return on investment – it has been proven to reduce a home’s heating and cooling bills by as much as 40%, resulting in enormous savings over the year.
Eco-friendly benefits
By saving energy, you are reducing the use of non-renewable resources, thereby doing your bit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If you are interested in living a ‘green’ lifestyle, insulation can go a long way toward helping you achieve it. Since insulation allows you to use less energy and, in return, produce fewer emissions, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint and your impact on the environment.
Selecting earth-friendly insulation, such as Knauf mineral wool insulation, for example, also helps to maximise the eco-friendliness of your home. Knauf mineral wool insulation boasts a high recycled content, primarily derived from naturally occurring materials. It also features a revolutionary binder technology called ECOSE® Technology, which has cemented its place as a truly sustainable building material. It offers reduced environmental impact through lower embodied energy and diminished manufacturing emissions and workplace exposures. In fact, installing Knauf insulation will improve the overall sustainability of any building.
Moisture control
When paired with proper air sealing techniques, insulation can help control moisture levels in your home. Maintaining efficient moisture control contributes in part to your home’s overall comfort and energy efficiency. When a home is not properly insulated, condensation and leaks can become a problem. This will slowly and steadily cause persistent damage, which can be very expensive to repair. It can be prevented by sealing, checking, and replacing old insulation that has passed its sell-by date.
Resale value
When it comes to insulation, not many people think about its resale value. If you’re thinking of selling your home in the next five years, updating your insulation can be the difference between a fast sale and a slow one. The main reason is that homeowners are becoming more demanding and increasingly aware of energy efficiency and its benefits. Energy efficiency and green living are top of mind for consumers, and many are passionate about choosing eco-friendly options whenever possible.
Promoting wellbeing
Homeowners are also becoming increasingly aware of the importance of promoting general well-being. In the modern world, asthma rates have increased, allergies are a bigger problem than before, and homeowners are aware that their home can contribute to their health and wellness… or detract from it. In the residential building space, this means prospective buyers want to be given confidence that their new home was built with products that are safe for their families and that keep out harmful pollutants, allergens, and chemicals. As such, choosing insulation, such as Knauf mineral wool insulation, that is free of any harmful materials is imperative.
Knauf mineral wool insulation is free from phenols, acrylics, and it has no added formaldehyde, artificial colours, bleach or dyes. The bio-based materials used to manufacture Knauf mineral wool insulation mean it doesn’t itch or give off any unpleasant odours – making it easier to work with than other insulation products. Furthermore, it emits virtually no dust, so it will improve indoor air quality compared to conventional insulation.