You can check wall insulation by removing the cover of an electrical outlet or light switch to take a quick look inside the wall and determine if there is any existing insulation there. Another option is to drill a hole somewhere inconspicuous, such as in the closet or under the socket, to take a look. The easiest way is to check behind a wall outlet. As a precautionary measure, disconnect the power from the power outlet on the electrical service panel.
Your electrical outlet will be placed in a metal or plastic electrical box, probably mounted next to a wall joist. Using a wooden skewer, prick between the front edge of the box and the inner wall board. Be sure to prick outside the box, not inside where the wiring is. The lack of insulation in small sections can make a big difference to your energy bill and can even cause physical damage to your home over time if mold starts to grow where condensation forms on walls or if snow melts and freezes on the roof again because the snow melts and freezes again.
However, there is no doubt that a home with proper insulation will be energy efficient and therefore save on energy costs. We know, having been in the insulation industry for years, that the amount required by the code is not enough to keep your home comfortable and save you money on energy bills. Fiberglass block insulation or loose filler insulation will often be evident in spaces around the electrical box. Improving wall insulation is often one of the least cost-effective energy improvements compared to existing homes, but anyone who does an energy classification will still need to know if there is insulation in the walls.
Anyone who lives in a poorly insulated home knows how difficult it can be to keep their home warm, cool, or simply livable. If you're going to replace the lining or do a full bowel rehabilitation, it'll be easy to determine how much, if any, insulation your home has. I had Conservation Services Group conduct a home energy audit (in Medford, MA, as part of the MassSave program); the main thing they were looking for was poor insulation. Therefore, when the time comes to renovate or make some type of home improvement, wall insulation should be an integral part of planning.
