Author: Ace Insulation

Many older houses in California had been built without insulation, meaning right now there is a hot market for insulation both in new construction and for retrofitting older homes. Putting in insulation adds value to your home and allows it to be significantly more energy efficient.

One of the most popular types of insulation in Petaluma, CA is blown-in cellulose, which can be especially excellent for remodeling purposes. Here are a few of the many benefits of blown-in cellulose insulation for remodeling:

• Environmentally friendly: Studies by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) indicate that cellulose insulation manufactured from recycled paper is the least polluting form of insulation. It features the highest amount of post-consumer recycled content, at a minimum of 75 percent. Compare this to fiberglass, for example, which averages only 35 percent recycled glass by volume.
• Energy efficient: The NRDC has also found cellulose insulation to be the most energy-efficient form of insulation. It has significantly better resistance to airflow than other forms, and prevents air moving upward when temperatures rise and drop. Compare this to fiberglass insulation, which has a retention value that decreases by as much as 50 percent when temperatures drop from 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 18 degrees Fahrenheit. Even the production of cellulose insulation is more energy efficient, as it takes more than 10 times as much energy to create fiberglass insulation as it does to make cellulose insulation.
• Safe for use: There is a wide variety of major (and well documented) health risks associated with fiberglass, especially when it becomes airborne. However, there are no adverse health effects that have been reported arising out of use of cellulose insulation.
• Durable: Properly installed cellulose will never settle inside the walls, which means there will always be even insulation and air protection. It also does not rot, mildew or decay, and will not support any fungus or mold growth. Not only does this mean that it will retain its energy saving abilities with long lasting use, but it will also prevent a reduction in air quality associated with molds and fungi. Finally, cellulose is non-corrosive to copper, steel and aluminum, meaning you do not have to worry about it weakening your plumbing over the course of time.
• Financial savings: Cellulose insulation will help you to dramatically decrease your monthly heating and cooling bills over time. Cellulose is the type of insulation that performs most consistently in both summer and winter.
• Reach all areas: Blowing the insulation into the walls ensures you will reach all of the areas that would otherwise be hard to get to. Once it is in place, the insulation expands to cover all open areas inside of the walls. It is also a significantly less invasive option than, say, having to tear down walls to install the insulation in your home.

Blown-in cellulose insulation has become extremely popular because of all of these benefits. Contact us today at Ace Insulation, Inc. for more information about insulation in Petaluma, CA.

Ever since the economic downturn, more people have been focused on living small and within their means. Gone are the days when McMansions were the big dream of people across the United States. Instead, the younger generation is increasingly happier to live in small spaces that allow them to maintain their mobility.

As a result, tiny homes and shipping container homes have become increasingly popular. A quick Google search for “shipping container homes” reveals a number of extremely unique and clever tiny homes that people have made for themselves in small spaces.

People who have embraced this lifestyle clearly have no problems with living in a smaller environment and limiting the amount of possessions they hold onto. However, one major challenge that could arise with such a tiny home is how exactly one will insulate it. After all, many of these materials and containers used to create tiny homes were not originally built with human habitation in mind.

Here are a few considerations for tiny home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA:

• Spray foam is an option: Depending on the style of tiny home you have created for yourself, there is the opportunity to use blown-in foam insulation. Such insulation has a very high R value, and there would be no leaks that get into your home. However, it also tends to be a more expensive option, which could be an issue for people who are interested in a tiny home to begin with.
• Fiberglass could be ideal: Fiberglass insulation is fairly inexpensive and relatively easy to install. While it doesn’t have the highest R value of all the insulations available, it is certainly good enough where it will keep a tiny home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
• DIY solutions: Some people across the Internet have reported other ways of combining various types of insulation solutions, or making their own insulations. For example, one person purchased Styrofoam boards and supplemented them with spray foam to ensure the entire area was covered. This can be a slightly more complicated solution, but it is effective in the sense that it would have a reasonable R value.
• Less-common options: There are plenty of other options in terms of insulation materials for tiny homes. While these are less common than fiberglass or cellulose, they can be especially good choices for tiny spaces or homes that are going to be mobile. Examples include rock wool, rigid foam, expanded polystyrene, denim, cotton, polyisocyanurate foam, closed cell and more.

The important thing to keep in mind with whatever insulation choice you use is that the type of material your home is made of could influence your decision. If, for example, your tiny home is made primarily of wood, you would likely choose a different insulation than if it were made primarily of metal.

For more information about tiny home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA, reach out to our helpful team at Ace Insulation, Inc. today. We are happy to answer your questions.

Insulation is a great way to keep your home at the perfect cool temperature all summer long. Properly installed insulation will keep the air inside of the home instead of cooling the outside. But many homes throughout the U.S. are under-insulated, which can take a big hit on your monthly electric bill. You may be wondering where you went wrong.

One of the best ways to cut down on energy costs is to check your insulation. An insulation evaluation will help you determine which areas of your home are causing the energy loss.

Keep reading for the best ways to tell if insulation is making your home less energy efficient:

Know what you’re working with

You’ll find multiple types of insulation throughout your home. The insulation in an attic is usually blown in. This is a top choice for attic insulation because it’s cost effective, energy efficient and easy to install. For everywhere else in the house, the best and most common options are fiberglass and spray foam insulation. Contractors prefer these two options because they’re affordable, energy saving and can actually help reduce noise.

Before you take a trip to your local home improvement store, you’ll want to examine the various rooms throughout your home to see what type of insulation is already there. For example, spray foam insulation might not require the same amount as blown in. You may want to consult a professional to ensure that it’s done correctly.

Check attic insulation

In most attics, the insulation is usually visible so it’s easy to get a closer look. Check the depth of the insulation to determine whether you need to add more so the energy stays in your home.

A good rule of thumb is that you probably don’t have enough insulation if you can see the ceiling joists. Most homes need a minimum of 12 inches of blown in insulation in the attic. You may want to consider bumping that amount to about 15-20 inches if you’re hoping to increase energy efficiency with home insulation in Petaluma, CA.

Examine the wall insulation

You may be wondering how exactly you’ll be able to check the insulation inside your wall. Luckily, it’s actually more simple than you may think—use an electrical outlet. Shut off the power on the specific outlet and then remove the cover. You should then be able to see the insulation and measure its thickness. You may even want to pull a piece out of the wall for a closer look. The wall should be filled to capacity with fiberglass or spray foam insulation to ensure that energy is not escaping your home.

Bring in the professionals

Still can’t find the problem? Then it may be best to leave this job to the professionals. At Ace Insulation, our highly trained staff will take the time to figure out exactly where extra insulation could help cut down on your heating and cooling costs.

The days are getting hotter and the air conditioners are starting to blow, which means it’s time to start thinking about how you can save on energy bills. For many families in California, summertime can mean significantly higher energy bills as the air conditioning works overtime to keep the house cool. Insulation is your best bet when it comes to keeping the cool air inside and the hot air out.

Luckily, there are a few easy ways to tell if your home is suffering from poor insulation. If your home doesn’t pass the following do-it-yourself inspections, then it’s time to call the pros at Ace Insulation today:

High monthly energy bills

Dig up your energy bills from the last few years to see if there are huge increases over the years. You may want to consult an insulation professional if you’re noticing quite a big difference over time.

Over time, the insulation in the attics and walls may have settled, making the insulation less effective. This lack of protection can cause the warm air to leak in. A qualified technician can easily add insulation layers to the inside of your walls, basement ceilings and underneath the attic.

Hot spots

During the hot summer months, certain areas of your house may feel a sauna as hot air seeps into your home around window frames and door ways. Inconsistent temperatures throughout your home can affect how hard your cooling system has to work.

If you’re noticing temperature variances of more than 10-15 degrees between each room, then it’s time to call an insulation company. A professional will use spray foam insulation to seal any cracks and crevices that may be letting in hot air. Not only will these help regulate he temperature in your home, it will also help keep your energy bills under control.

Bugs

Everyone knows that summer is prime time for bugs, but that doesn’t mean you want them in your home. Centipedes, mosquitoes and cockroaches can make their way into your home through tiny crevices and holes around doorways and windows. Like most people, these little pests are just trying to beat the heat. Unfortunately, these openings are also how warm air enters and the cold air escapes. Avoid calling the exterminator by sealing any openings with spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA.

Excessive moisture in the attic

There’s a high chance that water in the attic or a dripping ceiling may be caused by insulation problems. Attics are the perfect target because the intense summer heat can cause moisture to condense in areas that do not receive a significant amount of air flow. The smallest amount of moisture in a poorly insulated area can lead to a big problem. Mold can even form if the area goes unattended for long enough.

If you’re seeing any of these telltale signs, then it’s time to call the professionals at Ace Insulation today. Our qualified team will make sure your family is staying cool all summer long.