You can easily see when your home's floors or counters need cleaning, but knowing when to clean your home's air is another matter. The air your family is breathing might be hurting everyone without giving you any warning signs. Fortunately, you can take steps to correct this, ranging from regular cleaning to new insulation.
Why Keeping Your Home's Air Clean Is Important
You probably spend 90% of all your daily time inside so indoor air quality might impact you more than outdoor air quality. This constant exposure means that indoor air problems impact your family 24/7, even minor ones. Also, given how little air exchange modern HVAC systems have with outside air, any indoor issues will likely linger until you deal with them. You can take certain steps, including ventilating your home and adding plants for purification. However, you should also have your insulation tested to ensure it's not contributing to indoor air pollution over time.
Why Should You Remove and Replace Insulation?
Outdated insulation might not be as efficient as modern materials, and your home might not have the levels of efficiency that you could otherwise have. Removing and replacing your insulation can greatly impact your monthly utility bills. On top of the improved comfort that your home might enjoy, everyone in your family can breathe easier. New insulation installed in high-caliber fashion will keep the air quality in your home much higher. Industry professionals can assess your home's current status and make recommendations for your needs and situation.
Different Kinds of Insulation
While nearly every home needs insulation, they don't have the same kind inside. You should know what kind of insulation your home has before you decide to remove it, but you should also know the options available before installing a new kind.
Cellulose is a form of insulation made using paper products that businesses and consumers recycle. Several cellulose insulation manufacturers include borate in their processing because it prevents infestations of insects and also offers a certain degree of fire resistance.
If you want another recycled option, denim insulation might be the answer you're looking for. Denim cotton and old jeans are often source materials for this insulation. It might cost you more than other options, but it does minimize eco-waste.
Fiberglass is a very common choice that's affordable and simple to install. However, anyone installing must handle this material with proper protective gear. You can also choose from natural fibers, including sheep's wool, hemp, straw, and cotton. These are usually eco-friendly options but require treatment to boost their resistance against insects, mold, and fire.
Foam insulation is also very popular because of its easy installation and relative affordability. Rigid foam board insulation is popular among DIY enthusiasts doing home renovations.
An Inevitable Decision
No matter how effective or enduring insulation is, it will eventually need to be replaced. You can tackle this as a DIY project, but it can also get technical and risky. Your other option is professional removal which can be done safely and quickly. In either case, insulation removal and replacement help keep your home energy efficient and full of clean air you can safely breathe.