Should You Insulate Your Basement Ceiling?
If you want to make your house more comfortable and save money on your energy bills, upgrading your insulation is a good idea. But to see the real comfort and money-saving benefits of insulation, you have to install it in the right places.
Your basement ceiling is not one of those places.
It sounds like a good idea, but insulating your basement ceiling is typically a waste of money. It will do nothing to stop heat loss and could even end up making your basement colder.
In this guide, we explain why most houses don’t need basement ceiling insulation and where you should insulate instead to make your house more comfortable and reduce your energy bills.
The Problem with Basement Ceiling Insulation
When you install basement ceiling insulation, you place a layer of insulating material between your basement and the living space above it. If your basement is finished and conditioned (heated or cooled), insulating the ceiling will separate two conditioned spaces, which is just unnecessary. It can, however, provide soundproofing between your basement and upper living space. If you use your basement as a cinema or play area for your kids and you’re bothered by the noise, it might be a good idea to install soundproof basement ceiling insulation.
If your basement is unfinished and you don’t heat/cool it, insulating the ceiling is still, generally, a bad idea. Doing so will block heat from your living spaces from traveling down into your basement, which will make it even colder than it already is and could cause your pipes to freeze.
Where to Insulate in Your Basement
Whether you heat/cool your basement or not, the temperature difference between your upper floors and your basement is always going to be small compared to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of your home, so the basement ceiling is not the place to spend money on insulation.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t insulate your basement at all. There are two key areas to insulate in your basement that will have a dramatic affect on your overall home comfort and energy consumption:
Basement Rim Joists - Rim joists are, essentially, where your house meets the foundation. They are almost always surrounded by gaps and openings, which allows air and heat to travel freely into and out of your basement. This is one of the most important places in your house to seal and insulate, typically with spray foam insulation.
Foundation Walls - Insulating your above-grade basement walls is important, especially if you heat/cool your basement. This is a great project to take on while finishing your basement.
Tax Incentives for Basement Insulation
Insulating your house is a great investment that will pay for itself through energy bill savings. There are also excellent incentives available to reduce the upfront cost. Right now, you can save $1,200 on qualifying basement insulation and air sealing materials with the insulation tax credit. You have to complete your insulation upgrade by December 31 to claim the credit this year, so don’t wait! Call us today to schedule your free insulation assessment.
Custom Insulation Solutions for Your Home
Sometimes, a problem that seems like it’s stemming from your basement is actually being caused by a lack of insulation or air sealing in another part of your home. Attics are prime suspects that can cause serious problems throughout your entire home. Sustainergy Cooperative will evaluate your basement, attic, and walls to determine where your insulation is lacking and what solutions will have the highest impact on your comfort and energy bills for the lowest cost.
We are a worker-owned company with over a decade of experiencing insulating houses in the greater Cincinnati area. Our installers provide the absolute best workmanship and customer service because your success is their success! If you want to solve your home comfort and energy efficiency problems once and for all, reach out to us today to schedule your free home assessment.
