Michigan summers are the best time… the best time for enjoying the great outdoors, the best time to spend with family and friends, and yes, even the best time to upgrade your home’s insulation.
Why is summer the best time of the year to upgrade your insulation? I’m so glad you asked. Here are several great reasons:
- Insulation helps with preventing heat from entering your home, keeping it cool and comfortable throughout the summer.
- Upgrading your insulation now prepares your home for our frigid Michigan winters later, reducing the amount of heat loss and keeping your family cozy.
- You can take advantage of current rebates and incentives when you upgrade your insulation, making it a smart financial decision anytime of the year.
Many homes in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas, especially older ones, would benefit from additional home insulation. Older homes (and some not-as-old homes) often have little insulation or the insulation is old or damaged. If that’s your home, upgrading with good insulation like fiberglass or cellulose will help lower your energy bills, improve home comfort, and make your home more energy efficient.
How Insulation Improves Home Efficiency Year-Round, Including the Summer
Home insulation works two ways: It keeps cold air inside during the summer and warm air inside during winter. This reduces the strain on your HVAC system, meaning less air conditioning usage and electricity usage, leading to lower energy bills. According to ENERGY STAR, proper insulation and air sealing can save you up to 15% on heating and cooling costs.
Signs Your Home Needs More Insulation This Summer
If you’re seeing sky-high summer energy costs, your home may not be properly insulated. Here are some red flags:
AC Running Constantly
If your air conditioning barely shuts off, it’s working too hard to keep your home cool.
Uneven Temperatures
If some rooms (especially those upstairs or sun-exposed) stay warm while others are comfortable, you may have an insulation issue.
Hot Walls or Ceilings
If your indoor surfaces feel hot in the sunlight, it may indicate heat is seeping through from the outside because of a lack of good insulation.
Older or Poorly Insulated Homes
If your home was built decades ago, its original home insulation (if it has any) may not meet modern insulation standards.
Best Insulation Options to Reinsulate Your Grand Rapids Home
There are a variety of insulation options for your home. Choosing the right insulation material is key to keeping your home comfortable and maximizing its energy efficiency. Two of the most popular insulation choices are:
Cellulose Insulation
- It’s an eco-friendly option, made from recycled paper fibers.
- It fills gaps more effectively than fiberglass.
- It has better moisture tolerance to help resist mold growth.
- It may settle over time and require an occasional topping up.
Fiberglass Insulation
- It’s made of small, recycled glass fibers.
- A cost-effective and widely used retrofit option.
- It’s available in batts or blown-in form.
- An ideal choice for attic insulation and walls.
- It requires proper installation with vapor barriers.
- Be sure to keep it dry to maintain its effectiveness.
Energy Savings and Rebates for Insulation Upgrades: How Insulation Saves You Money
Financial Benefits
Upgrading your home insulation is one of the fastest ways to save money on your energy costs. Benefits include:
- Lower energy bills by reducing HVAC system runtime.
- Extending the lifespan of your HVAC system by decreasing strain.
Available Incentives
- Utility rebates: Consumers Energy offers up to $450 for qualifying insulation upgrades.
- Federal tax credits: Receive up to $1,200 in tax credits for insulation upgrades.
- State programs: Michigan is launching new home energy rebate programs in 2025.
Don’t forget to combine incentives to save even more on your insulation upgrades!
Steps to Upgrade Your Home’s Insulation
1. Schedule an energy audit
A professional assessment helps identify insulation gaps and air leaks.
2. Identify priority areas
Common areas to focus on to maximize your energy savings are attic insulation, exterior walls, crawl spaces, and rim joists.
3. Choose the right type of insulation
Select the insulation material that fits your budget and home’s needs as well as the right R-value to meet Michigan’s climate recommendations.
4. Hire a qualified contractor
Proper installation is vital for maximum insulation effectiveness and rebate eligibility.
5. Submit rebate and credit applications
Apply for available incentives to save money on installation costs. Complete your Consumers Energy rebate forms, retain your documentation for federal tax credits, and follow up on state rebate programs.
Act Now for Year-Round Comfort and Savings
Having a properly insulated home is not only key to reducing your energy bills and improving home comfort, but taking care of things during the summer is a win-win for you and your family. Summer is the best time of the year to upgrade your home insulation, keeping your home cool and comfy now and warm and cozy in the winter. And with available rebates, there’s no more opportune time to invest in insulation services.
At Whitson Insulation Company, we’ve been keeping Grand Rapids homes insulated and energy efficient for over forty years. Local homeowners and builders count on us for expert service and quality products, and you can too. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate to make sure your home is ready for every season.
References
Consumers Energy. (n.d.). Windows and insulation rebates. Retrieved from https://www.consumersenergy.com/residential/savings-and-clean-energy/rebates/windows-and-insulation
U.S. Department of Energy. (n.d.). Why energy efficiency matters. Energy Saver. Retrieved from https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/why-energy-efficiency-matters
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.-a). Heat & cool efficiently. ENERGY STAR. Retrieved from https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.-b). Why seal and insulate? ENERGY STAR. Retrieved from https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/why-seal-and-insulate
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. (n.d.). Home energy rebates. State of Michigan. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/materials-management/energy/rfps-loans/home-energy-rebate-programs