--- title: Top 3 Places To Insulate In An Existing Home description: Your home needs more insulation. But where should you put it? Find out the top 3 places to insulate for a more comfortable home. image: https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/Article%20Title%20Images/Top%203%20Places%20To%20Insulate%20In%20An%20Existing%20Home.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://scsfoam.com/blog/top-places-to-insulate-in-an-existing-home#maincontent) [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) [![South Central Services Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/branding/Website%20Logo%20Classic.png?width=900&height=300&name=Website%20Logo%20Classic.png) ![South Central Services Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/branding/Website%20Logo%20White.png?width=900&height=300&name=Website%20Logo%20White.png)](https://scsfoam.com/) [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) Pricing - [Our Rates](https://scsfoam.com/our-rates) - [Calculators](https://scsfoam.com/pricing-calculators) - [Financing](https://scsfoam.com/financing-options/) - [Rebates](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) [Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team) Services - Residential Insulation - [Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/attic-insulation) - [Basement Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/basement-insulation) - [Crawl Space Repair](https://scsfoam.com/crawl-space-encapsulation) - [Commercial Spray Foam](https://scsfoam.com/commercial-spray-foam/) - [New Construction Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/new-home-construction-insulation/) - [Pole Building Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/pole-building-insulation) - [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/air-sealing) - [Blower Door Tests](https://scsfoam.com/blower-door-tests) [Our Products](https://scsfoam.com/our-products) Learning Center - [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) - [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) - [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) Open Search [Get A Quote](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) Search for topics or resources Enter your search below and hit enter or click the search icon. 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You're hoping for lower energy costs and to be a bit more comfortable in the summer and winter. But where is the best place to insulate your home? South Central Services has insulated hundreds of homes in and around Carlisle, Pennsylvania. We pride ourselves on delivering real results for homeowners. This article will count down the top three most effective places to insulate in existing homes. ## Third Place: Basement Basements always need insulation. Whether in the ceiling or on the walls, basement insulation is required by building codes. But why? Your basement is part of your [thermal envelope](https://scsfoam.com/blog/spray-foam-insulation-glossary#building-envelope-definition), which forms the border between your home and the outside. Basements also exist below-grade, meaning below the ground. The ground has significantly different temperatures than your home, so insulation is essential. The ground also poses concerns about vapor transfer. Your basement walls are porous, whether concrete, block, or stone. Without an effective [vapor barrier](https://scsfoam.com/blog/spray-foam-insulation-glossary#vapor-barrier-definition), your basement insulation could face moisture issues. ![Masonry walls insulated with closed cell spray foam insulation.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Graphics/Masonry%20Wall%20Insulated%20With%20Closed%20Cell.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Masonry%20Wall%20Insulated%20With%20Closed%20Cell.jpg) [Basement band boards](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-are-rim-joists-on-a-house) (rim joists) are the key area that make or break your comfort and energy costs. The band boards are the area where the ceiling and walls meet. This is also where the construction transitions from porous walls to wood studs. Since the material changes, this area is especially vulnerable to air and vapor transfer. Basement band board insulation is worth considering when dealing with a drafty house or high energy bills. In addition to closed cell spray foam in the rim joists, you can also update the wall or ceiling insulation. ![A basement in Waynesboro, PA insulated with closed cell spray foam. A wood-frame wall in front of the masonry walls allows the space to be finished.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Graphics/Basement%20Wall%20Insulation.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Basement%20Wall%20Insulation.jpg) > Reinsulating your basement walls gives an excellent opportunity to finish your basement and increase your resale value. Or, you can opt for an effective layer in your basement ceiling, largely ignoring the basement as a living space. ## Second Place: Crawl Space In some homes, there is a crawl space instead of a basement. Or, there might be both below your home! Like a basement, crawl spaces can contribute to cold drafts and raise your energy bills. However, a crawl space is even less appealing than a basement. Many crawl spaces around Greencastle have moisture issues, mildew, and pest infestations. A tarp laid haphazardly on the dirt floor does little to keep the area clean. Worst of all, the drafty air pulled from a crawl space is usually more dirty than the air from a basement. By insulating your crawl space, you can eliminate all of these problems. As a bonus, your home may increase in resale value. The crawl spaces we [encapsulate](https://scsfoam.com/blog/why-encapsulate-your-crawl-space) are dry, clean, accessible, and have conditioned air. All of these features can contribute to the value of your home. ![A crawl space encapsulated with closed cell spray foam insulation and a plastic vapor barrier sheathing. Located in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Graphics/encapsulated%20crawl%20space.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=encapsulated%20crawl%20space.jpg) Besides a [potential resale value increase](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-crawl-space-encapsulation-increase-resale-value), insulating your crawl space can also deliver these benefits: - Cleaner air - Fewer pest infestations - Improved accessibility - Lower energy costs How does insulating your crawl space achieve all this? It all comes down to the encapsulation method. South Central Services encapsulates crawl spaces with closed cell spray foam and thick plastic sheathing. Fastening the sheathing on the crawl space floor creates a vapor barrier between the dirt floor and the crawl space. Closed cell foam is spray-applied to the porous crawl space walls and band boards to insulate them seamlessly. ![Sealing the edges of a vapor barrier with crawl space tape. The plastic sheathing on the floor prevents vapor from passing through.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Graphics/Crawl%20Space%20Tape%20Install.jpg?width=600&height=400&name=Crawl%20Space%20Tape%20Install.jpg) > The result is a clean area joined to the conditioned space of your home. By installing a [crawl space dehumidifier](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-crawl-space-dehumidifiers) or tapping into existing HVAC ductwork, the air in the crawl space can be conditioned, just like your living space. ## First Place: Attic Despite the great benefits of basement and crawl space insulation, your attic is the best place you can retrofit with insulation. Effective attic insulation is always our first recommendation when examining a home with high costs and seasonal discomfort. But why? What's so special about your attic? The value of your attic insulation comes down to two scientific concepts: 1. The stack effect 2. Radiant heat The [stack effect](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-is-the-stack-effect) is felt most prevalently in the winter. During the snowy months, the heated air you pay for is drawn to the cold air outside. Heat always moves to cold. Without effective insulation upstairs, the heat will escape through the roof. This is a waste of your money, makes your home colder, and is an inefficient use of energy. (When the hot air leaves your house in the winter, it's replaced with cold air from your basement or crawl space. Following up your attic insulation upgrade with one of these other options can help to limit the stack effect even more!) [Radiant heat](https://scsfoam.com/blog/spray-foam-insulation-glossary#radiant-heat-definition) is more prevalent in the summer months. We often feel the heat of the sun through radiant heat. As the sun shines down on us, we feel its heat on our skin and through our clothes. Wearing a black t-shirt outside makes us sweat more than wearing a white one. These principles apply to our homes, too. ![The shingles of a roof.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Article%20Graphics/Shingles.jpg?width=534&height=400&name=Shingles.jpg) When the sun beats against a darkly colored roof, the heat of the sun is absorbed into the attic. This increases the heat upstairs to unbelievable temperatures. What might have been an uncomfortable 100 degrees Fahrenheit upstairs can skyrocket to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Not only does that heat press through the attic floor into the living space, but it can also cook any HVAC ductwork running in the attic, making the HVAC system less effective. > No matter the time of year, you can benefit from effective attic insulation. A functional insulation system upstairs will pay for itself over time, especially during more extreme seasons like summer and winter. Attic insulation also offers more options than below-grade spaces like the basement and crawl space. As an above-grade area, your attic could be insulated with [blown-in insulation](https://scsfoam.com/blog/blown-in-cellulose-pros-cons), [open cell spray foam](https://scsfoam.com/blog/open-cell-pros-cons), or [closed cell spray foam](https://scsfoam.com/blog/closed-cell-pros-cons). These variations allow for various budgets to be accommodated. Spray foam insulation is a more premium option with more versatility and longevity. However, blown-in insulation paired with an airtight seal is nothing to sneeze at as long as you don't have HVAC ductwork upstairs. ![An unvented attic with HVAC ductwork, insulated with spray foam.](https://scsfoam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/assets/images/Attic%20Spray%20Foam%20Insulation.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=Attic%20Spray%20Foam%20Insulation.jpg) ## Insulation Upgrades Should Lower Your Energy Costs. How do we rank insulation upgrades? One of the primary evaluation criteria is its effect on energy bills. Heating and cooling your home isn't getting any less expensive. The role of insulation is to keep conditioned air inside. An excellent insulation upgrade will do a better job of keeping conditioned air inside, which will, in turn, lower your energy costs. [Basement band board insulation](https://scsfoam.com/blog/rim-joist-spray-foam-benefits) can lower your energy costs by limiting cold air infiltration, which would interfere with the performance of your HVAC system. Crawl space encapsulation offers a similar result, along with other benefits. > Attic insulation upgrades rank first because their impact on energy bills is most significant. An attic with little to no insulation may see a 30% to 70% decrease in energy costs by insulating and air-sealing upstairs. It isn't worth investing in if your insulation upgrade can't offer lower energy costs. By lowering your energy bills, your insulation can offer a tangible and financial return on investment. ## Insulation Upgrades Should Make Your Home More Comfortable. Working hand in hand with lower energy costs is comfortability. Comfort is more difficult to measure than energy bills. You can compare statements year-over-year to see the financial impact an insulation upgrade can have. But how do you evaluate comfort? We get used to being in uncomfortable environments. We may dress in layers to stay warm inside during winter, or we use a fan when our homes are sticky in summer. It may be less common for us to articulate discomfort, but we are happier people when our home environment is pleasant to live in. If an insulation upgrade won't make your home more comfortable, it isn't worth the investment. Never insulate for insulation's sake. We love to hear [success stories from our customers](https://www.google.com/search?q=South+Central+Services+Insulation) about the increase in comfort after getting insulation and an air-seal in one of these three areas. ## The Bottom Line About Where To Insulate Your Home Upgrading your home's insulation can significantly impact your energy efficiency. The most energy-efficient upgrade you can make is an air-seal and sufficient R-value in your attic. Once your attic is properly insulated, you can insulate your basement or crawl space to stop cold drafts. Now that you understand where to insulate in your home, your next step is to: - [Discover if spray foam can make your home more comfortable](https://scsfoam.com/blog/does-spray-foam-make-homes-more-comfortable) - [Learn how you could save on your energy costs with spray foam insulation](https://scsfoam.com/blog/does-spray-foam-insulation-save-money) - [Estimate the cost of insulation in your attic](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-much-does-attic-insulation-cost) [![Try Free Estimating Tool](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/39735758/interactive-185461846964.png)](https://scsfoam.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJ06hCJqB66hIYV4%2FFJAQhN7CE20y3mEF4Qw7vG370cDUWZZ2WiQyJ7ZoTG6SinQFgcOF6L1QQLvKpOLGnFOI9SeiPHr5qAdxo8KyxpeBPxV7e4GJe9UGFTVYiccPpnNdZXd59vDdK1pOWiMij5HarWSqr0kYn376V%2FmLmLPAKhzMCb0a3EBvqkeA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=185461846964&portalId=39735758) *Disclaimer: While we strive to publish information accurate to building science, local building codes and standards supersede our recommendations.* [Alexis Dingeldein](https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/alexis-dingeldein) Alexis has been fascinated by spray foam insulation since 2018. When she isn’t thinking about insulation, Alexis is geeking out over storytelling and spreadsheets. Topics: [Building Science](https://scsfoam.com/blog/topic/building-science) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles ### [What Is A Blower Door Test Used For? May 16th, 2025|2 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-are-blower-door-tests-used-for) ### [How Does Insulation Keep A House Cool? April 23rd, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/how-does-insulation-keep-a-house-cool) ### [What Is The R-Value Of Blown-In Insulation? April 4th, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/what-is-blown-in-insulation-r-value) ### [Can Insulation Be Reused? April 2nd, 2025|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-insulation-be-reused) ### [Will Adding Attic Insulation Make A Difference? March 26th, 2025|4 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/will-attic-insulation-make-a-difference) ### [Does Spray Foam Insulation Reduce Noise? 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August 12th, 2024|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/can-houses-be-over-insulated) ### [Best Vapor Barrier Products For Roofs August 9th, 2024|3 min read](https://scsfoam.com/blog/best-roof-vapor-barrier-products) Location 1574 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle, PA 17225 Phone: [(717) 895-3498](tel:7178953498) Connect With Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/p/South-Central-Services-Insulation-100057064885687/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/scsfoam/) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@scsfoam) - [info@scsfoam.com](mailto:info@scsfoam.com) Services - [Attic Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/attic-insulation) - [Basement Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/basement-insulation) - [Crawl Space Repair](https://scsfoam.com/crawl-space-encapsulation) - [Commercial Spray Foam](https://scsfoam.com/commercial-spray-foam/) - [New Home Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/new-home-construction-insulation/) - [Pole Building Insulation](https://scsfoam.com/pole-building-insulation) - [Air-Sealing](https://scsfoam.com/air-sealing) - [Blower Door Tests](https://scsfoam.com/blower-door-tests) Pricing Information - [Our Rates](https://scsfoam.com/our-rates) - [Calculators](https://scsfoam.com/pricing-calculators) - [Financing Options](https://scsfoam.com/financing-options/) - [Rebate Information](https://scsfoam.com/rebates) - [Pricing Articles](https://scsfoam.com/blog/tag/product-pricing) Proud Member of Cumberland Valley Business Alliance     Company - [Our Service Areas](https://scsfoam.com/our-services-areas) - [Our Products](https://scsfoam.com/our-products) - [Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team) - [Contact Us](https://scsfoam.com/contact/) - [Join Our Team](https://scsfoam.com/our-team#hiring) - [Privacy Policy](https://scsfoam.com/privacy-policy) Learn More - [FAQ](https://scsfoam.com/faq/) - [Learning Center](https://scsfoam.com/learning-center) - [Downloadable Resources](https://scsfoam.com/downloadable-resources) © 2026 South Central Services All Rights Reserved. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Alexis Dingeldein", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/author/alexis-dingeldein" }, "dateModified" : "2025-06-09T16:00:02.929Z", "datePublished" : "2025-06-09T16:00:02.000Z", "headline" : "Top 3 Places To Insulate In An Existing Home", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://scsfoam.com/blog/top-places-to-insulate-in-an-existing-home", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://scsfoam.com/hubfs/branding/SCS-Updated-Logo_Horizontal-2048x397.png" }, "name" : "South Central Services" } } ```