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A move towards greener living has recently invaded the homes of millions of Americans. The search for organic products and the desire to remodel and renovate homes in an effort to make them more sustainable and less costly is catching on. If you’re going with the green flow, one change you should consider is replacing your home’s insulation. Insulation replacement can save your family money, prevent deadly disease, and of course, make your home a little greener.
According to the US Department of Energy, “inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes.” If your home is not insulated or if the insulation is old and damaged, repairing or adding new insulation can significantly reduce your heating and cooling costs in your home.
Besides saving you some money, replacing old insulation can save your family a trip to the hospital later on. Unfortunately, insulation manufactured before 1975 may contain a toxic mineral called asbestos. Asbestos is not harmful when left intact, but if insulation is damaged or disturbed, the fibers are released into the air. These fibers are impossible to detect without the appropriate equipment and inhaling or ingesting them over an extended period of time results in a cancer called mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma symptoms lie dormant for 20-50 years after the fibers settle into the lining of the lungs or stomach. Because of this dormancy, the cancer is often undetected and undiagnosed until it has metastasized. Mesothelioma life expectancy is generally short and victims tend to live for no more than a few months after diagnosis.
If you desire to cut energy costs and reduce your family’s risk of mesothelioma, consider having your insulation inspected. It’s always a good idea to call in a trained asbestos abatement professional to inspect your home for toxins. Removing insulation or remodeling without certified professionals actually increases your chance of disturbing the asbestos material and inhaling the deadly fibers.
And finally, besides saving you money and preserving your health, replacing old insulation helps save the planet. Heating and cooling take up massive amounts of energy and resources daily. By using organic insulation, like sheep’s wool or cotton insulation, you can protect you family and limit the amount of energy that you use to stay warm or stay cool. Organic insulation like sheep’s wool is toxin free, and is often made of recycled materials. It is breathable and eliminates an unhealthy buildup of moisture in the home, making your home less of a host for bacteria and mold.
So when you remodel, don’t forget about your insulation. The greener we get, the smarter we get. The right insulation can give you some wiggle room in your family budget. It can also spare you from symptoms of mesothelioma, bacteria, and mold. Organic insulation may be a great solution to part of our energy crisis. You can play a part in making our nation greener and healthier.
