No matter where you reside in North Carolina or South Carolina, you probably rely heavily on your home’s air conditioning system, especially in the summer months! In certain areas of these states — specifically the mountainous areas of North Carolina –, high-quality heating systems are also essential during the winter season. If you’ve noticed, however, that your utility bills seem to be excessive, but you aren’t sure why you are in the right place.
High utility bills can be especially confusing if you’ve recently had a new HVAC system installed in your Carolina residence. The culprit, in these cases, is often siding itself — not homeowners’ residential heating and air conditioning units. As you read on, you’ll discover three ways you can insulate your home’s siding and save money in the long run.
Blown-In Insulation
Blown-in insulation, or blow-in insulation, is installed exactly the way it sounds like it would be. It is generally installed when new siding is being hung on a house, but it is worth noting that it can also be added to a home with existing siding that is being kept.
To install blow-in insulation, a contractor will first use a tool to drill holes into a home’s exterior wall between each stud, near the top. Then, a specialized tube that is used to blow cellulose or fiberglass insulation into a home’s walls is inserted. After the blow-in insulation has filled the cavity, the holes are plugged — usually with wooden plugs — and new siding is hung normally.
Blow-in insulation is often the most affordable option for families on a budget. Cellulose tends to be less costly than fiberglass but isn’t as effective over an extended period of time. It is wise to get multiple quotes from installers before making your final decision.
Flat Board Insulation (“Pink”)
Flat board insulation — sometimes referred to as simply “Pink” because of its famous color — is a great option for homeowners who want to address the issue of “thermal bridging.” Installing a continuous layer of flat board insulation underneath new siding, on top of a home’s studs, is a great way to keep heat inside — not to mention it adds an extra layer of protection from wind and other inclement weather.
There are three primary types of flat board insulation materials. These are: expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), and graphite polystyrene (GPS). Talk to your installers to learn more about all of these options and to discover which one is the best choice for your Carolina home. Bear in mind that the higher the R-value of this type of insulation is, the more money you are probably going to have to spend.
Insulated Vinyl Siding
The final option is to invest in insulated vinyl siding, a product that features insulation directly in your siding boards. Insulated siding is more expensive than traditional vinyl cladding, but it can be worth the money in some cases.
Furthermore, if you have a particularly drafty house or you live in an especially cold and icy area of the Carolinas — such as a high-altitude in North Carolina — you can even combine insulated vinyl siding with another insulation product for maximum assurance that you and your family will stay comfortable all year long.
Contact Hatch Homes for more information about all of the exterior renovation services we offer, including siding installation!