June 25, 2024
These days, it’s strange to think of a home with no insulation. However, insulation is a relatively recent feature for residences, and homes that are 60 years or older might not have insulation. You may like the charm of a historic home, but that doesn’t mean you want to deal with the uncomfortably cold or hot temperature. Breaking into the walls of your home — especially in the days when plaster walls were the norm — can be a pain, so some homeowners seek to find a way around it when it comes to home heating and cooling.
What are your options when your home has no insulation? Do you have options? In today’s blog, let’s discuss heating and cooling uninsulated homes.
The two most common kinds of insulation nowadays are fiberglass and spray foam. Both were invented in the 1930s and 40s. Spray foam insulation was first created for military use and became a popular option for home insulation in the 1970s and 80s. Thus, if your home predates the 1970s, and certainly if it predates the 40s, it could be without insulation.
Of course, people remodel some historic homes to add insulation, but not all of them. You should be able to tell if your home has insulation during your inspection. If not, you may notice signs such as:
Drastic temperature differences
Drafts, cold floors, or walls
Hot, stuffy temperatures in summer
Damage to your roof or attic
High heating and cooling bills
When your home lacks insulation, your standard heating and cooling systems may not be enough to truly keep it comfortable throughout the year. Fortunately, there are ways to heat and cool your home and make it more insulated, even without in-wall insulation.
From fixing drafty windows to installing a new HVAC system, you’ll find a number of ways to enhance the comfort and energy efficiency of your uninsulated home. Keep reading to discover the best heating and cooling insulation alternatives available.
Sometimes, even homes with modern insulation can feel drafty or stuffy, depending on the season. This is often the result of thin, drafty windows. You can fix this issue by switching your windows out with more energy-efficient windows, such as triple-pane windows with non-toxic gas in between glass panes to slow the airflow and heat loss. You can also install window film to add a little bit of insulation to the windows, helping to add layers and insulate them.
Radiant floor heating supplies heat directly to your floor using circulating warm water or electric heating elements installed below the surface. Installing radiant heating is a more energy-efficient heating option for uninsulated homes than baseboard or forced-air heating, as it reduces duct loss and uses low amounts of electricity.
Set up certain thermostats with “zones” that vary the temperature in your home based on the part of the home. For instance, maybe your bedroom needs to be a little cooler, or perhaps the living room is draftier than you’d like and needs more heat.
Thermostat zones allow you to customize your heating and cooling to your needs, so you won’t have to crank the heating and cooling in every room and pay spiked energy bills. Programmable thermostats can also allow you to create a default setting for certain times of year.
Not all heating and cooling options are central air conditioning and furnaces. Even some modern homes are turning to alternatives to lower their HVAC bills and be more energy efficient. When it comes to cooling, that might be a ductless mini-split heat pump, perfect for the California climate.
This mini-split is thin, minimally intrusive, and installed into the wall. It uses heat pump technology to circulate heat and air rather than simply generate it. Contractors can install it in a room that suffers most from the lack of insulation or alongside your ductwork to complement it. Either way, it’s an excellent HVAC option for homes without insulation that are hoping to stay comfortable while saving money.
Heat rises, and your attic can become quite stuffy, especially if you don’t have insulation. It can also make the rest of your home’s heat and cold quite unbearable when your attic is full of hot air. You can help to circulate heat through your home and keep the temperature even by installing an attic fan. An attic fan will keep the attic from becoming too stuffy, protect your home from drafts and heat, and may even be a boon for your roof.
Of course, there’s one option that we haven’t discussed until now — which is having insulation installed in your attic and floors. Insulation installation can be a big project, but there’s no denying your home will feel more comfortable with insulation than without. It can also save you up to 50% on your energy costs.
Another issue many homeowners encounter is finding an HVAC contractor willing to install insulation. Many avoid it as it is a messy, labor-intensive project. You won’t find that at Service Champions.
We offer top-notch blown-in or radiant barrier insulation options, including. FIBER CLOUD for your attic and under-house insulation to make your flooring more comfortable.
SILVER SHIELD insulates your home by reflecting the sun’s rays and keeping them from reaching the interior of your attic. We can help you find the best insulation option for your home and make it more comfortable, with or without these added heating and cooling tips.
Do you have a home that lacks insulation? Heating and cooling it effectively and affordably is possible, especially with experts like our technicians at Service Champions, the best-reviewed home services company in Northern California.
Contact us today to learn more about heating and cooling solutions for older homes and to schedule an appointment. Don’t forget to ask about our flexible financing options and MVP membership, which offers scheduled annual tune-ups and priority benefits.
While it can be challenging to have an energy-efficient home without insulation, you can use the methods above to increase the efficiency and comfort of your uninsulated house. However, installing insulation is the best way to achieve a highly energy-efficient home.
Various government incentives and rebates are available for Northern California residents who install energy-efficient heating and cooling systems in old homes. The Energy Upgrade California initiative provides rebates and financing options for energy improvements.
The federal government offers tax credits to homeowners who install energy-efficient systems. When booking your service, ask one of our team members for more information.
If you have a limited budget, determine the heating or cooling issues that affect your home the most. In Northern California, many residents prefer to begin with cooling services due to the warmer climate. Speak with one of our technicians to determine the best cost-effective HVAC system for your home.