In the realm of home insulation, there is such a thing as too much. Adding too much insulation to walls can lead to issues such as inadequate ventilation, mold growth, and condensation. This is because thicker insulation can impede airflow and retain moisture, resulting in indoor air quality issues and even structural damage. So yes, it is possible to over-insulate your home.
Millions of homes in the United States and Canada have inadequate insulation, but can a house have too much? In short, yes, it can. There is an optimal balance between the initial cost of insulation and energy efficiency and the long-term savings you could expect to enjoy. Building codes are the minimum standard to which a house can be built, but it's never the “ideal” amount. If your home has too much insulation, it is too sealed and moisture is trapped inside.
If there is no adequate ventilation, particularly in the attic, mold will grow and the air quality of the house may decrease. To avoid incorrectly measuring the amount of insulation in your attic, it's best to leave the inspection and energy audit in the hands of certified attic specialists. Adding additional insulation to an older home during renovation may be a good idea, but when insulating exterior walls from the outside, make sure you do it well. Using more insulation than necessary does not offer a significant advantage and may adversely affect attic ventilation.
Achieving an R value of 30 should provide more than enough insulation in the Southern California area, without some of the drawbacks of excessive insulation in the attic. Certified attic specialists using protective equipment will bag the old insulation or remove it with a professional-quality HEPA filter hose. You will have peace of mind knowing that the insulation materials have been installed safely and correctly and that you are maximizing the comfort and energy efficiency of your home.
