Insulation is essential when it comes to protecting homes from the elements and keeping families comfortable. Unfortunately, a lot of homes are not insulated properly or have insulation that’s old, worn down and not performing the way that it should. Whether you’re upgrading an older home or you’re building a new home altogether, you need to select the appropriate insulation material. Depending on the specifics of your project, you should consider spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA. Read on to find out more about spray foam insulation so that you can determine whether it’s the right option for your specific project.
Spray foam insulation basics
Spray foam insulation is a type of insulation that’s applied as a liquid to a surface, at which point it expands and hardens to create a solid, airtight barrier that completely fills the surfaces and cavities where it is applied. Spray foam insulation is popular for use around electrical outlets, in crawl spaces, between rim joists, around windows and doors and in attics. Unlike other fibrous types of insulation, spray foam insulation will remain rigid and maintain its shape and won’t sag or settle over time. Because of that, spray foam insulation can deliver a consistent level of efficiency and effectiveness for years.
Benefits and considerations
Spray foam insulation is popular because of how effectively it restricts airflow between interior walls and the exterior of a home. Other types of insulation become less effective when there is airflow coming from the outside, but spray foam insulation locks in indoor temperatures by creating a rigid barrier that isn’t susceptible to wind beating against the exterior of the home.
Using spray foam insulation can help reduce energy bills significantly and give homeowners much more control over the temperature in their home. Even applying spray foam insulation in a few areas of a home can make a difference when it comes to minimizing energy loss and maximizing the efficiency of HVAC systems. Because of how effective spray foam insulation is, installing it in attics and other areas can even improve the overall value of a home.
There are a lot of great benefits that come with using spray foam insulation; however, it’s important to keep in mind that spray foam insulation is not ideal for every project or home. Depending on the age of your home, spray foam insulation may contribute to increased moisture accumulation and potential water damage. Because spray foam insulation isn’t always the right choice, you should always consult with an insulation contractor before you select a type of insulation for your project.
Learn more about spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA
You can find out more about spray foam insulation in Petaluma, CA by reaching out to the team at Ace Insulation Inc. today. Since 2011, we have been proud to provide our customers with comprehensive insulation services, including installation of a wide variety of different insulation materials. As a locally owned and operated company, we are dedicated to the satisfaction of our customers and the quality of our workmanship. You can find out more about everything that we have to offer by giving our team a call today.
If you’re in the process of buying a home, you’ve probably already found yourself immersed in a sea of questions and variables. How much square footage do you need? Are there good schools in the area? Do you go for a move-in-ready home or a fixer-upper? Unfortunately, what a lot of home buyers forget to take into consideration when choosing a home is the home’s insulation.
Energy costs, on average, make up about 25 percent of the monthly cost of running a home, and that includes your mortgage payment and homeowner’s insurance. If you purchase a home that is poorly insulated, you may find yourself spending upwards of $1,500 per year on heating and cooling. To help you save money up front and later down the road, here’s a home buyer’s guide to insulation from your local insulation service in Petaluma, CA.
What should you ask about the home’s insulation?
When looking at homes, here are a few questions you should ask to help give you an idea of how well the home is insulated:
When was the home built?
Has new insulation been installed since the home was built?
What type of insulation is used in the home?
Is it possible to review gas and electric bills for the home?
Once you get a clearer idea of what state the home’s insulation is in, you can better gauge the value of purchasing the home.
Does the home have fiberglass insulation?
Fiberglass insulation is most commonly found in older homes because it is an old technology. Fiberglass tends to settle and break down over the years, resulting in a decreased R-value (the capacity of an insulating material to resist heat flow). If the home has fiberglass insulation, the insulation will most likely need to be replaced. Even if the fiberglass insulation does not need to be replaced immediately upon purchasing the home, it’s important that you keep in mind that it will need to be replaced later down the road.
Does the home have cellulose insulation?
Cellulose is better than fiberglass and has a higher R-value up front, but like fiberglass it tends to settle and shift over time, which means it needs to be maintained. Another issue with cellulose is that, as a loose fill insulation, it tends to filter throughout the home through ductwork, fixtures and walls.
Does the home have spray foam insulation?
Spray foam insulation is the best option for home insulation. Spray foam has the highest R-value, and does not break down the way fiberglass and cellulose insulation does. Spray foam is also Class 1 fire rated, which means it won’t serve as a catalyst if there were a fire, and it doesn’t retain water that will promote mold and mildew growth.
If you are in the process of buying a home or recently bought a home and have questions about the quality of the insulation, talk to the experts at Ace Insulation Inc. As your local insulation service in Petaluma, CA, we’ll be happy to help answer any questions you may have.
If you own your own home, costs for electricity, natural gas, water and sewer add, on average, 25 percent to your monthly housing expenses. If you want to try and keep your energy bills down, you may want to consider investing in home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA. Reinsulating or adding insulation to your home can amount to significant monthly savings. How much can you save? Let’s take a look.
What type of insulated home do you have?
Before we talk about how much you can save by insulating your home, we need to first determine what type of insulated home you currently have. There are three different types of insulated homes:
Leaky house: Homes in this category are the most poorly insulated. These homes are often older and consist of solid walls with no insulation, single glazed windows, uninsulated floors and gaps in seams around windows, doors and other seams. To maintain a comfortable temperature in a home like this requires about 300 kilowatt hours of energy per square meter per year.
Modern house: This home is the most common. It has insulation between the walls, in the attic and under the floor, as well as double-glazed windows and well-sealed seams. The cost to maintain a comfortable temperature in a home like this is about 150 kilowatt hours per square meter per year.
Passive house: This type of home is perfectly insulated. All materials used to build the home provide superior insulation, including triple-glazed windows, airtight seams combined with an efficient ventilation system and insulation in the walls, attic and floors. To maintain a comfortable temperature in a home like this, you only need about 15 kilowatt hours per square meter per year.
How much money can you save?
How much money you will save by properly insulating your home depends on what type of home you currently have. An average-sized leaky house costs about $1,500 in energy bills per year, a modern home costs about $750 and a passive home costs only about $100 per year. Total savings will depend on what type of home you have and how much insulation you are willing to install. For example, if you have a leaky house and install insulation to convert your home into a modern house, your annual savings would be about $750 per year.
Into this equation, however, you need to also consider the cost of installing insulation. For example, while converting a leaky house into a passive house may save you $1,500 per year in energy costs, the upfront cost of installing new windows and insulation under the floor, in the attic and in solid walls is significant and may not be worth the investment (or, in some cases, even feasible).
If you want to know how much a home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA can save you, reach out to the experts at Ace Insulation Inc. We specialize in insulation installation for new homes and renovations. Just call today to schedule your consultation with one of our professionals!
You probably have your calendar marked to visit the dentist twice each year. When your car’s tires show signs of wear, you know it’s time to visit the mechanic for a new set. But what about your attic insulation in Petaluma, CA? How do you know when it’s time to replace that? How often should this task be completed?
The trick is to know what signs to look for that indicate it’s time for new attic insulation in Petaluma, CA. What are these signs? Watch for the following red flags that your insulation has reached the end of its life.
Unwelcome Guests
Attic insulation in Petaluma, CA is an inviting place for pests. The material offers an ideal place for nesting. Check your insulation for these unwanted visitors. If they have destroyed your insulation by tearing it to shreds and leaving waste behind, it’s time to invest in new attic insulation. Before you complete the installation, be sure to rodent-proof the area. Contact a pest control professional to seal off your attic area before you contact your insulation experts.
Drafty Surroundings
Is it hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home? Do you feel a draft in your upstairs rooms? If the climate inside your house is hard to regulate, this is an indication that your attic is not doing a good job of insulating your interior. The insulation might be damaged or insufficient, and it’s time to replace or refurbish your attic insulation in Petaluma, CA.
Icicles
Attic insulation in Petaluma, CA insulates your roof. If your roofline is covered in icicles, your insulation might not be doing a great job with this task. Hot air is escaping through the roof, melting snow and generating icicles on the roof’s perimeter. If you see a lot of icicles forming on your home, check your attic insulation’s condition to see if it’s time for replacement.
Soaring Utility Bills
Poor insulation leads to poor energy efficiency. Your heating and air conditioning systems will have to work much harder to keep your home’s interior at the desired temperature. This will result in high utility bills. If you notice that your utility expenses are atypical, consider the fact that it might be due to poor attic insulation. Installing new attic insulation in Petaluma, CA could save you money in the long run due to lower energy costs.
Crumbs
If you suspect you need new attic insulation in Petaluma, CA, perform a crumble test. Put on an industrial glove and touch your attic insulation. Does it crumble? If so, it’s time for new insulation. The material has reached the end of its lifespan and will no longer provide the climate control you desire.
Get More Answers
To find out more about attic insulation in Petaluma, CA and when to replace it, contact the professionals at Ace Insulation Inc. We’ve been the area’s go-to source for insulation installation for years. Our team offers a great selection of insulation options delivered with superior service. Reach out to our friendly staff today with any questions or to schedule your next insulation project.
How old is your home? If you need to insulate an older home, you have to face several myths about insulation in Petaluma, CA. These rumors can affect your insulation choices, installation methods and the future energy efficiency of your house.
With all this in mind, it’s important to know what’s fact and what’s fiction. To sort out the truth, use the following debunking guide.
Myth: To insulate my older home, I should blow insulation into the walls.
This is a common mistake made by owners of older homes. Built with a lack of modern energy efficiency, older homes often have uninsulated walls and offer a cold, drafty interior. To combat this, homeowners logically conclude they should insulate the walls to make the home more comfortable and efficient. However, this can cause structural damage, encourage exterior paint failure and invite termites. The blown insulation can cause the walls to mold and rot due to improper airflow.
Myth: Insulation of older homes should begin in the walls.
Your insulation process should actually begin with the attic. A poorly insulated attic is a major source of heat loss in the winter and heat retention in the summer. Insulating this space will make a significant impact on the comfort level of your home and the bottom line on your utility bills.
Many older homes have unfinished attics that have not been conditioned properly for the climate. Add insulation to the underside of the roof, then blow insulation on the floor of the attic. This will barricade your home against the drafty air of the attic and keep the living spaces below more climate-controlled.
Myth: The first step to insulating the basement or crawl space of an older home is to place batts into the stud bays.
This sounds like a good idea, right? It is. In fact, this is exactly what you should do to insulate your older home’s basement or crawl space. This will insulate the floors above, making floors warmer and more inviting year-round.
The myth portion of the statement is that this should be your first step. Before you install the insulation, you should rodent-proof the space. Place wire screens around any openings or use foam spray to seal off any holes. The idea is to make sure no rodents can access the area, since the batting will be an inviting nesting place for these creatures. If you don’t properly seal the area first, rodents will quickly destroy your insulation in Petaluma, CA and create a mess of your home.
Myth: The cost of insulation is irrelevant because I will save so much over the years in utility bills.
Some quick math can easily debunk this myth. First, you might be spending money on the wrong type of insulation methods, as discussed previously. This will end up costing you more in repairs. Second, you should always evaluate the cost of a project vs. ROI. Consider this example: You spend $3,000 to have your house insulated. This saves you $200 a year on HVAC costs (a typical savings for owners of older homes). It will take you 15 years to recoup your investment. This might be worthwhile, or you might want to consider alternative methods of insulation in Petaluma, CA.
Ask the Myth Busters
Do you have questions about the best way to insulate your older home? Contact the experienced team at Ace Insulation Inc. today!
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