What does it indicate if insulation R-value is less than current standards?

If the insulation R-value is less than current standards, it may not necessarily indicate a deficiency in an older home. Building codes and insulation standards evolve over time, meaning that what was once considered acceptable may fall short of current requirements. Older structures might have been built to standards that were appropriate when they were constructed, but those standards may have changed.

In newer homes, however, a lower R-value could suggest that insulation is not meeting contemporary requirements, which could be viewed as a deficiency. Therefore, in the context of an older house, having an R-value below current standards does not automatically mean that there is a problem, as long as it is within the acceptable range for when the house was built. This distinction is key to understanding the implications of insulation R-values in various housing contexts.