There’s a good chance your home doesn’t have enough insulation. If you built your house or renovated it, it’s likely that it doesn’t have enough to keep you comfortable and save on energy bills. This is especially true if you live in an area with cold winters. In these cases, poor insulation can lead to ice damming which can cause serious issues on your roof and gutters.
High Energy Bills
High energy bills are one of the biggest signs that your home is under-insulated. A home that is under-insulated forces the HVAC system to work harder to keep the home at even temperatures. If your energy bills are climbing rapidly, it’s time to investigate what might be causing it. A qualified home energy assessor can do a thermal scan of the walls to determine how well your home is insulated.A good insulation solution can be expensive, but it’s an investment worth making if your home is not well insulated.
Uncomfortable Temperatures
If your floors, walls, and ceilings are cold to the touch, you likely need more insulation in your home. Insulation stops heat and air from escaping through gaps. Another sign that your home is under-insulated is that you’re feeling warmer in one room and colder in others. This could mean that your heater isn’t keeping you as warm as it should, or that it’s not delivering enough energy to keep all parts of your house at the same temperature. Frozen pipes can also be a tell-tale sign that your home is under-insulated. If your exterior walls are poorly insulated, it can lead to pipes freezing and then bursting, which can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.
Cold Drafts
Besides being uncomfortable, cold drafts can also cause your energy bill to skyrocket throughout the winter months. These can come from windows and doors that are not properly sealed. Insulation is a thick material that protects your home from the cold air outside. Usually, the amount of insulation required by code is enough to keep your home comfortable and save you money on energy bills, but if it isn’t, you might want to consider investing in additional insulation. You can check your windows and doors for drafts by looking at the caulking around the wood frames or the glazing that holds glass windowpanes together. If you notice cracks, it’s time to fix them. You can also stand near a door or window and feel if cold air is making its way through the cracks.
Uneven Temperatures
If you notice that some rooms are consistently warmer than others, this could indicate that your home is under-insulated. Often, this can occur when blown-in insulation settles over time or if the ductwork isn’t sized correctly. Another sign of a poorly-insulated home is ice dams during the winter. When heat rises from the roof, it melts the snow and turns it into a dam of ice that can wreak havoc on your siding and gutters. Similarly, if your pipes aren’t properly insulated in the crawl space or walls, freezing winter temperatures can cause them to freeze and burst. This can be a major pain and cost you money.
Noisy Rooms
If your rooms are noisy and you hear echoes of everything from the TV to the vacuum, your home may be under-insulated. This can make your room a stressful place to be, and can even negatively affect your health. Your home may also be noisy if you have rooms with hard surfaces like walls, floors or doors that can cause reverberation and noise transfer. Adding sound-absorbing materials or products should definitely help!
If you’re looking to insulate your commercial property, there are several types of insulation available. Knowing which one is right for your building will help ensure the best performance possible and save you money on your energy bills. The types of commercial insulation include fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam. They all have different R-values and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass, made of tiny glass fibers, is a widely used insulation material for residential and commercial buildings. It slows the spread of heat, cold and sound to improve energy efficiency. Besides being fireproof, fiberglass is also naturally sound-absorbent2 and reduces sound transmission in wall, ceiling, floor, and HVAC assemblies. For example, the first inch of fiberglass can increase an assembly’s sound transmission class (STC) value by three or four points in some constructions.
It is also available in blanket form, known as batts, in bags that contain pre-cut lengths and widths or loose fill, which can be blown into attic, wall, and floor cavities. It is most commonly installed in new home construction, gut renovations, and commercial building renovations, but can be used in other types of buildings as well. And while fiberglass insulation has proven to be an affordable option for homeowners, fiberglass is not as durable as other insulating materials and can become ineffective if it gets wet. It is also prone to air gaps, which can drive down performance.
Loose-Fill
Loose-fill insulation, also called blown-in insulation, is an excellent choice for residential and commercial properties. It uses recycled materials like cellulose and fiberglass to create a solid barrier that prevents air leakage and provides superior insulation. Cellulose is made from recycled paper products, such as discarded newsprint and cardboard. It is treated for fire resistance and pest-resistant properties, making it a good option for those who are concerned about the environment.
Cellulose
Cellulose insulation is an environmentally friendly form that can be installed on many commercial buildings. It is made from recycled paper products, primarily newsprint. The cellulose fibers are treated with borate compounds to resist fire, insects, and mold. It is also considered a green product since it uses much less energy than fiberglass. It is a highly recyclable material, containing as much as 80% post-consumer waste. Cellulose can be blown into open attics and enclosed cavities or sprayed into wall cavities. It can be used for both new and retrofit construction.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is a great option for commercial buildings that have unique shapes and size constraints. This type of insulation can be used to seal cracks and gaps and help maintain a comfortable temperature inside the property. It also helps to soundproof a building, reducing noise from outside the property and ensuring a peaceful work environment. Using this type of insulation can improve the value of your property while also lowering your energy costs.
Compared to other types of insulation, spray foam is extremely flexible and can be easily sprayed into small spaces. It can be used in new construction, rim joists, and even in attics. It is an excellent choice for commercial buildings because it can help to save money on energy costs and ensure a comfortable work environment. It can also help to protect equipment in sensitive rooms such as server rooms and prevent damage from temperature fluctuations.
Insulation slows down the flow of heat by blocking it from entering or escaping your home. This keeps your home more comfortable in both winter and summer and lowers your energy bills. Insulating your home also helps you stay healthier and prevents the buildup of mold indoors. Similarly, insulation also helps to keep outdoor contaminants out of your home, such as pollen and dust.
Energy Savings
Insulation keeps your home warmer during the winter and cooler during the summer, which can save you money on utility bills. It also decreases the number of times your heating system has to work hard. Insulating your home is one of the most effective ways to make your house more energy efficient!Homes with poor insulation and air leaks can cost up to 15% more to heat and cool than homes that are properly insulated. Getting rid of air leaks and adding insulation to your attic, floors over crawl spaces and basements can make an enormous difference in your energy bill. Insulation comes in many different materials, including fiberglass, cellulose, and spray foam. It’s a simple home improvement that can pay for itself over time.
Increased Comfort
Insulation helps to keep the temperature in your home at a consistent level, regardless of the time of year. This ensures that your family’s comfort levels remain high while your heating and cooling costs stay low. Insulation also reduces drafts and air leakage in your home. These drafts can be uncomfortable and lead to energy loss, contributing to lower heating and cooling bills. You can add insulation to your home in a number of places, including exterior walls, ceilings/attics, foundation and windows.
Healthier Home, Healthier Planet
Insulation is a smart way to save money and help the planet. It also can improve the overall health of your home by helping keep allergens, dust, and toxins out of your living space. In addition, it helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature that decreases the chances of you getting sick. And that’s a big deal. It also helps prevent mold from growing, which can lead to mildew and odors in your home. And because insulation reduces heat loss and improves your home’s energy efficiency, it’s also an effective way to reduce the carbon footprint of your home. In fact, if all homes were properly insulated worldwide, we could cut greenhouse gas emissions by 293.5 billion pounds per year, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. It’s an easy upgrade to make and one that will pay for itself in energy savings over time. But before you do, be sure to choose the right type of insulation for your home.
Every homeowner is always concerned about ways to reduce the expense of house maintenance, one of which is insulation. A general contractor can do the installation of an insulator. However, if you need quality and long-lasting services for your home, it’s high time you consider hiring an insulation contractor.
The Importance of an Insulation Contractor. Why You Should Hire an Insulation Contractor
Below are reasons why you should hire an insulation contractor for your project:
Preferred Specialization
Most homeowners will prefer general contractors, but they fail to understand that insulation contractors have the right skills and knowledge to install insulators. General contractors are not specialized in installation processes, which might lead to poor quality work. It’s in the public domain that general contractors are considered as “Jack of all trades” as they are masters of none.
Important Technicalities
Insulation contractors are very aware of essential and upcoming technologies in insulation. These individuals have the required understanding of energy conservation and professionals, which makes them the best option. Nevertheless, these professionals know about ventilation, infiltration, vapor retardants, and other vital insulation techniques.
Understanding of Different Types of Insulation
It’s incumbent to understand that different types of insulation exist specific to an area or a home. A general contractor who lacks knowledge in insulation might offer the wrong kind of insulation to your home as they are not conversant.
It’s one of the significant reasons why you should hire an insulation contractor to get better results.
Prevent Health Conditions
Insulation is not all about installing, but you might require removing them. Since they’re fitted to your house, it’s essential to understand that the type of material used is significant with padding insulation.
There are some toxic materials used in insulation, including asbestos. These materials require an insulation contractor to know the difference for them to deliver quality work without causing contamination.
Maximize Rebate Offerings
Many homeowners are qualified for government rebates; only they lack standard energy requirements by the government. A professional insulation contractor will know the types of insulation viable for government rebates.
It would be the worst decision for a homeowner to hire a general contractor instead of an insulation contractor. With the right insulation contractor, everything must be cost-effective, whether you are looking for blanket insulation, spray foam insulation, batted wall insulation, or attic insulation.
Get a Certified and Qualified Insulation Contractor Today
Are you looking for a qualified insulation contractor? Well, Ace Insulation Inc has what you need. At Ace Insulation Inc, we specialize in the installation of insulation. Whether building a new home or renovating an existing space, we are the place to call.
We have many materials to choose from, including fiberglass and spray foam. Reach us today at (707) 584-8377 for Dynamic St. Petaluma, CA, or (916) 915-8783 for Main Avenue Sacramento, CA. You can also fill in our contact form for more information.
Insulation is an essential aspect of every home and business. In addition to providing support for heating and cooling comfort, insulation also offers benefits like sound buffers or barriers. The question, however, isn’t whether to insulate or not insulate, but between spray foam vs loose fill insulation options.
While both have their benefits and advantages, they are different in both content and application. Here is a look at the spray foam vs loose fill insulation debate and the benefits of each.
What Is Better Spray Foam or Loose Insulation?
If you are getting ready to insulate a home or office, you have probably encountered the question of what is better spray foam or loose insulation. Each of these applications provides popular insulation options but for distinctly different reasons.
Spray Foam Insulation
More technically known as spray-on polyurethane foam, this popular insulation option is applied using a special foam mix and spraying machine. Spray foam insulation expands upon application, also making it an ideal option for sealing gaps and filling cracks and holes.
Spray foam insulation excels at preventing the infiltration of air and offers a superior sound barrier. In both cases, professional insulation contractors like Ace Insulation Inc., offer the experience, expertise, and tools to get the job done correctly and safely.
Loose Fill Insulation
A type of spun fiberglass insulation, loose fill insulation is often used for areas that aren’t as accessible or as easy to reach and insulate. That includes spaces like attics, crawl spaces, and wall cavities, among others.
Loose fill insulation is applied using a blowing machine and offers benefits such as mildew, moisture, and fungus resistance. Also referred to as blown-in insulation, different types of loose fill insulation are commonly used in residential applications today.
Choosing the right insulation option for your home or business will involve many variables, including the size, location, and needs of the space being insulated. The good news is there are expert insulation contractors to help from start to finish.
Ace Insulation Inc.
Welcome to Ace Insulation Inc., your locally owned and operated, and premier insulation expert. That means our customers can rely on getting the highest quality of service possible, and professionally installed insulation for their homes and offices.
Whether you are building a new home or renovating your existing space, we are the place to call. We also have many materials to choose from, including fiberglass and spray foam. Contact us if you have any questions or to schedule a consultation today.
Areas Served
Proudly providing residential and commercial insulation installation to Petaluma, CA and the surrounding areas including:
Certificate of Approved Applicator from SWD, approved to install quik-shield polyurethane foam and coating products in residential and commercial applications according to the standards and guidelines as set forth by SWD Urethane
