Insulation stands as one of the most pivotal investments a family in Chicago can make during a home renovation, primarily due to the city’s notorious climate, which ranges from sweltering summers to bitterly cold winters. This investment in high-quality insulation not only promises immediate comfort but also long-term savings and increased property value, making it a cornerstone for any renovation project that is too often forgotten. Below are the reasons that illuminate why insulation is the most crucial investment for a Chicago home.

Comfort and Quality of Life

Comfort is key in a city where temperatures can plummet to below-freezing in the winter and soar in the summer. Insulation ensures a consistent indoor environment, eliminating drafts and cold spots in the winter, and reducing heat penetration during the summer months. This creates a more comfortable and livable space for families, improving overall quality of life. Moreover, insulation can also reduce noise pollution, creating a quieter and more serene home environment by dampening sounds from outside and between different rooms and floors within the home.

On a different note, Ken Allison from IDI on his R Value podcast talked about a super well-insulated home in the Colorado Rockies that lost all power and it took two weeks for the home inside to drop TWO DEGREES, during a bitter cold winter!

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

First and foremost, proper insulation significantly reduces energy consumption by keeping the desired indoor temperatures constant, without over-reliance on heating and cooling systems running all the time. Chicago’s extreme weather conditions mean that without adequate insulation, energy bills can skyrocket as heating systems work overtime during the winter and cooling systems in the summer. Insulation acts as a barrier to preserve and minimize the amount of heat that escapes in the winter and keeps heat out during the summer. This thermal protection can lead to substantial cost savings on energy bills, with some estimates suggesting that well-insulated homes can save 20-90% on these bills, depending on how well you insulate your home.

Environmental Impact

Investing in insulation contributes to a smaller carbon footprint, fewer BTUs burned typically in Chicago by Natural Gas and fewer Kilowatts of Electricity used during the summer to Cool your home. By optimizing energy usage and reducing reliance on heating and cooling systems, insulation helps lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity and gas consumption. This not only benefits the environment by mitigating climate change but also aligns with the broader social movement towards sustainability and responsible energy use.

Health Benefits

Good insulation can have significant health benefits by reducing the risk of mold and mildew growth, which thrive in poorly insulated homes where condensation can build up. By keeping walls and other surfaces dry, insulation prevents this harmful mold from growing, thereby protecting the respiratory health of the home’s occupants, leading to fewer irritants in the air. Furthermore, insulation can help keep out pollutants and allergens, contributing to better indoor air quality.

One of my favorite podcasts on building science The Build Show Podcast with Matt Risinger, recently discussed the impact of a very tight and insulated allowed his daughter to go over a year without a single asthma incident since moving out of their previous home, which was also “very well insulated” but not to the level of the new home.

Increased Home Value

Homes in Chicago that are well-insulated often have higher market values and are more attractive to potential buyers. This is due to the increased comfort, lower energy costs, and the growing awareness of the environmental impact of homes. Insulation is a selling point that can differentiate a home in the competitive real estate market, offering a significant return on investment when it comes time to sell.  Over my 15 years selling insulation services in Chicago, numerous clients have raved not only about the comfort we offer but also the ability to command a higher per-square-foot price, lower costs for construction to meet current codes (2×4 Frame Walls “can” still allow enough insulation) and fewer days on the market!