How Much Heat Is Lost Through Uninsulated Walls?

Other Factors

• Another factor that affects how much heat you lose through uninsulated walls is sun exposure. Walls that rarely receive direct sunlight lose more heat than walls that receive frequent, direct sun. Wind also plays a part in how much heat your home’s exterior transfers to the outside environment. High winds cause heat to dissipate quickly, leaving exterior walls that much colder.

Interior Walls

• Exterior walls are not the only places where heat is lost. Interior walls adjacent to uninsulated rooms also lose heat. For example, an uninsulated crawlspace, garage or attic draws heat from each adjacent room, increasing your heating costs significantly.

Types

• Wall insulation comes in many forms, so discussing your needs with a certified insulation contractor to identify the most effective means of stopping heat loss is recommended. You could install foam insulation boards on your home’s exterior or rip out drywall and lay insulation boards between the wood studs of your home’s frame. You also could use rolls of fiberglass insulation for interior wall cavities. Blown-in insulation is a convenient option if you don’t want to remove interior walls. Workers will cut small holes and use a special machine to shoot insulating pellets or foam into wall cavities.

Considerations

• Insulating only your home’s walls will not be sufficient. The majority of heat is lost around windows and doors, as well as through uninsulated ceilings. If there is a crawlspace under your home’s ground floor, you must insulate it as well, either by installing insulation within the floor cavities or against the exterior-facing boundaries of the crawlspace.