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.
Summer is quickly approaching, and it is sure to be another warm one here in California. During the months of June, July and August, most Petaluma residents consider their home air conditioner to be their very best friend. But overusing your AC can drive up your utility bills, and may even cause your unit to break down.
To avoid this fate, many smart homeowners look at a variety of different ways to stay cooler during the summer without overworking their air conditioners. As an insulation service in Petaluma, CA, the team at Ace Insulation Inc. wants to help. To that end, here are six tips for beating the heat this summer without killing your AC:
Use fans: Air conditioners create cold air, but fans are what circulate that cold air throughout each room. If you do not have ceiling fans, consider installing some, or at least buying a few freestanding or desk fans for rooms that see a lot of traffic in your home.
Take advantage of shade: Keeping your blinds down during those few peak hours of afternoon heat can help keep the worst of the summer warmth out of your home. If you are also looking for more long-term solutions, consider planting a few trees on your property to provide natural shade and cooler temperatures.
Eat cooler meals: Choosing to cook and eat cooler meals, such as salads or chilled soups, helps your AC in two key ways: it keeps you from turning on the stove and oven, and it keeps your body temperature nice and cool. Eating cooler meals is also often a healthier choice, so long as you don’t just have ice cream for dinner.
Get out of the house: During those record heat days, it can be tempting to stay at home all day with the AC cranked up all the way. But getting out for even a few hours gives your air conditioner a chance to rest, just as long as you remember to turn it down before you leave. Try bringing your whole family somewhere with ample AC, such as a movie theater, mall or restaurant.
Have your AC serviced: If you want to make sure your AC continues to be up to the task for many more summers to come, you need to invest in routine maintenance. Have a fully certified HVAC professional come to your home at least once or twice a year for standard service.
Invest in insulation: All of the above tips are great, but one of the most effective solutions for beating summer heat is having new insulation installed in your home. Whether your house is fairly new or over 100 years old, your insulation service in Petaluma, CA can provide affordable insulation to keep the hot air out, and keep the cool air inside.
Ace Insulation Inc. is proud to be a locally owned and operated insulation service in Petaluma, CA. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help you stay cool this summer.
If you are a homeowner or business owner, you probably already know the basics of insulation: it keeps your building more energy efficient, it helps with temperature fluctuation and it can even improve air quality. But you might not be aware of just how effective insulation is, or where the concept even came from.
Here at Ace Insulation Inc., we are passionate about what we do, and we love sharing our passion with our customers. Here are a few interesting scientific and historical facts we have learned about insulation in Petaluma, CA over the years:
Insulation was first invented in the Middle Ages, which took place between the 5th and 15th People lined the walls of their homes with mud, dirt and straw to help stay warm during the winter.
Asbestos insulation was first created by the ancient Greeks, who were looking for a safer alternative to mud and straw. The word “asbestos” means “inextinguishable.” After finding out the harmful effects of asbestos in the 1970s, insulation services switched to using fiberglass and other, safer materials.
Like many great inventions, fiberglass was originally created on accident. A young scientist was trying to make a vacuum seal between two pieces of glass, and tested his work with a high-pressure air jet. The air created fibers in the glass.
Today, insulation is touted for being energy efficient. In fact, insulation is over 600 times more effective than other energy efficiency products, such as compact fluorescent lights, Energy Star windows and Energy Star appliances.
Insulation is measured in “R value” meaning resistance to the flow of heat. The higher a particular insulation’s R value is, the more effective it will be in insulating your home.
There are over 10 different materials currently being used for insulating purposes today. These insulation materials include but are not limited to the following: spray foam, blown fiberglass, cellulose, injection foam and many more.
A home with proper insulation uses, on average, 42 percent less energy than a similar home without proper insulation. That energy savings translates to lower utility bills for property owners.
Insulation does not only protect your home or business from harsh weather and excess energy use. It also reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in your air supply. In fact, it is estimated that insulation cuts down on 780 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
If you do not have insulation in your attic, your home could be losing up to 60 percent of its energy everyday.
The more you learn about insulation, the easier it is to see that this crucial material plays a big role in keeping your property safe, comfortable and affordable to maintain. From the Ancient Greeks and the Middle Ages to the present day, insulation has always been a useful and necessary innovation.
If you are in need of new insulation in Petaluma, CA, please get in touch with Ace Insulation Inc. today. We look forward to making your home or business more energy efficient.
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