Improving your home’s insulation is an excellent way to save money, enhance comfort, and lower your carbon footprint. Insulation upgrades might be the answer! This comprehensive post guides you from initial assessment to installation. Additionally, we’ll cover regional regulations like Ontario’s attic insulation requirements and explore the availability of home insulation rebates in Canada.
Why Do We Need an Insulation Upgrade?
Insulation upgrades can keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. You can achieve this by two main ways heat travels:
- Conduction: Imagine touching a cold window on a winter day; That’s conduction. The heat flows through solid objects. Due to an upgrade, wasting energy is slowing down. So, check the walls, floors, and attic insulation to keep the warm inside the house longer.
- Convection: Hot air rises. If your attic insulation is poor, the hot air escapes. With upgrading insulation, wasting energy is disrupted.
A home insulation upgrade can help to reduce conduction and convection. So, it may maintain a comfortable temperature without constantly running the heater or air conditioner.
How to Measure Energy Savings to Upgrade Insulation?
There are two sides to measure insulation resistance:
- R-Value: The R-value measures how well the insulation can resist heat moving through the attic, wall, or floor. If the R-value is high, you have a more comfortable home and lower energy bills. That’s because good insulation keeps the heat you want inside (in winter) and unwanted heat outside (in summer).
- U-Value (For Reference): This measurement indicates how fast the heated air can escape through the attic, wall, floor, and walls due to convection and conduction. The lower the U-value means the insulation works well.
An Insulation Upgrade Step-by-Step Guide
Upgrading your home’s insulation is a wise investment. It can lead to significant energy savings, enhanced comfort, and a healthier indoor environment. But before we get started, let’s explore the key areas to check for proper insulation.
Embark on this journey to transform your insulation with these comprehensive steps.
Step 1: Access the Attic for Insulation Upgrade
You should check the attic and roof about having insulation. There is most likely some There is most likely some insulation already. Checking this section is easy because it is in the open. Check it out by going (or peeking) into your attic. Check the coating surrounding the duct to utilize the power of your air conditioner.
Step 2: Access Inside the Wall for Insulation Upgrade
Checking the wall is not as easy as the attic or roof. You can take off the cover plate from an outlet. Then, use a flashlight to look inside the wall.
Do you see any materials like fibers or foam within the wall? So, there is an insulation that you can check for an insulation upgrade. You should check out all external walls and the walls between your house and garage. Because some walls may have insulation and others may not.
Caution: Turn off the power to all connected outlets before removing the cover plate.
Adding additional insulation to the walls requires tearing into the drywall or plaster. That is not cost-effective unless you are remodeling, so the best solution may be to wait until you need to repair the siding. Then, you can do an insulation upgrade underneath it.
Step 3: Accessing the Walls and Crawl Space for Insulation Upgrade
Removing a floorboard can be a way to access inside the wall to the insulation. To access crawl spaces, you should look for a duct to easily access the area.
Step 4: Figure Out Types of Insulation
You may not even know if your home has insulation. To find out and identify the type, you need to inspect it directly. The following table can help you understand the types of insulation according to what you see.
| What you see | The type of insulation |
| Loose, fluffy colored fibers (yellow, pink, white) | Fiberglass |
| Densely packed gray or whitish loose fibers | Rock wool |
| Loose gray or whitish fibers resembling newspaper | Cellulose |
| Lightweight granules | Vermiculite or perlite |
| Colored (yellow, pink, white) fibers in a square shape | Fiberglass batting |
| Hardened foam | Spray polyurethane foam |
Step 5: Estimate the Amount of Additional Insulation for Insulation Upgrade
The quantity and kinds of insulation depend on the area of your home that has to upgrade insulation. First, measure your insulation’s R-value measurement, to know how quickly heat will pass through the material.
You must measure the depth of the current insulation in inches and apply the formulae in the insulation R-value chart below to obtain the R-value.
| Insulation types | R-Value/Inch | Common Form |
| Glass Fiber | 2.0 – 4.2 | Batt, Loose fill, Rigid |
| Mineral Wool | 3.0 – 3.2 | Batt, Loose fill |
| Cellulose Fiber | 3.4 – 3.6 | Loose fill |
| Vermiculite | 2.3 | Loose fill |
| Plastic Board | 3.7 – 6.0 | Rigid board |
R-values based on home area
| Area of House | R-Value |
| Celling with attic space | R60 |
| Celling without attic space | R31 |
| Walls above grade | R22 |
| Basement wall | R20 |
| Exposed floor | R31 |
Ontario Attic Insulation Requirements
The Ontario Building Code has been updated to require a higher R-value for attic insulation in new homes and additions. This means the minimum density for these buildings has increased from R-50 to R-60.
Is There any Energy Efficiency Rebate in Canada?
The Canadian Greener Homes Affordability Program, launching in 2025-26, offers rebates for energy-efficient upgrades to low- and middle-income homeowners in Ontario. The program targets specific property types and requires proof of primary residence ownership. This initiative aims to boost sustainability, social equity, and homeowner energy savings through free attic assessments and financial incentives.
DIY or Pro? Making the Right Choice for Your Insulation Upgrade
While tackling an insulation upgrade yourself might seem tempting, it’s important to be aware of the associated challenges. Selecting the right insulation type and safe installation requires significant knowledge.
Each type of insulation has different materials, properties, and dangers. For example, fiberglass can irritate your skin, while polyurethane foam can produce toxic vapors during installation. Asbestos, a serious health hazard that can cause lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses, may be present in older insulation materials found in older homes. Professionals can be aware of these hazards and ensure a safe and effective insulation upgrade.
Let Confirmed Contracting Corp handle your insulation upgrade! We offer a free examination and estimation of insulation inspection. Then, we provide a hassle-free process while handling all relevant documentation. We also inform you about the government rebate program to reduce the cost of upgrade. So, you can relax and let us handle the rest.
FAQ | Insulation upgrade
How often should you upgrade insulation?
The lifespan of insulation depends on the existing material and its condition. Properly installed insulation (around 300mm) can last for 10-15 years. However, consulting a professional for specific advice is recommended.
What are the benefits of upgrading insulation?
Upgrading insulation offers several benefits, including reduced energy costs, consistent indoor temperature, improved soundproofing, reduced dust and allergens, and increased home value.
What type of insulation is best for my attic?
The best insulation depends on climate, budget, and accessibility, such as selecting blown-in insulation for hard-to-reach areas.
