If you're in the process of inspecting and buying homes for sale, you should add insulation to your list of things to update. Improper insulation can reduce the energy efficiency of a home, which can cause you to pay higher utility bills. It can also make your heater and air conditioner have to work harder, which can lead to increased break-downs. Before you update the insulation in your new home, it's important that you choose the right type. Here are three types of insulation you can choose from.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass batt insulation is the easiest to install. This type of insulation comes in sheets that can be pressed into place between ceiling joists and studs. One of the benefits of fiberglass batt insulation is that new sheets of insulation can be placed directly on top of older insulation to increase the effectiveness. Another benefit of fiberglass batt insulation is that it doesn't require any special equipment, which means it can be installed as a do-it-yourself project.

Loose Fill

Loose fill is another effective way to improve the overall insulation throughout your home. Loose fill insulation is made out of cellulose and can either be hand-thrown or blown from a specially designed machine. Loose fill works well to provide insulation coverage in oddly shaped areas, such as cracks and spaces in the attic. In addition, loose fill insulation can also be blown into the spaces between your walls.

The insulation will fill the spaces between the studs, providing maximum insulation coverage. To install loose fill insulation inside the walls of a pre-existing home, small holes will need to be made in the walls so that a hose can be placed behind the drywall. Once the hose is inside the wall, insulation is blown in.

Spray Foam

If you have small spaces inside your attic that cannot be insulated using loose fill or fiberglass batts, spray foam insulation may be the way to go. This type of insulation is sprayed directly into the spaces requiring coverage. Once in place, the foam expands and then hardens into a hard shell. In addition to providing coverage for small spaces such as cracks and crevices, spray foam insulation can also be used to protect water pipes from bursting during freezing temperatures.

You want your new home to be as energy efficient as possible. That's where updated insulation comes in. The information provided here will help you choose the insulation that will work best for you. Be sure to speak to your real estate agent about adding insulation to the list of areas to be looked at during the home inspection. This will help you identify problem areas.