Category: Attic Insulation

Too many homeowners in Northern California believe they can get away with cutting out the middle man and installing insulation by themselves. They’ll end up suffering the consequences later on, because the truth is that improperly installed attic insulation can make you sick. Below are some of the amateur mistakes people make during a poor installation and the health risks that come as a result.

Wrong material for the attic

Not every type of insulating material is suitable for all areas of the home. For instance, fiberglass insulation has to be in a completely dry environment. If your attic suffers from excessive condensation, the fiberglass will dampen and become less effective. You’ll know it’s time to schedule a reinstallation when your energy bills start to hike up.

Wet fiberglass is also the perfect environment to promote mold growth. Mold triggers allergies, exacerbates asthma and creates breathing problems over a long period of time. It’s the most common airborne toxin responsible for poor air quality in your living space. Ask a professional to install spray foam or another water-resistant insulation material in your attic.

Older insulation releases chemicals

Improperly installed attic insulation can make you sick, but so can insulation that has long outstayed its welcome in your Northern California home. The building materials in a house break down over time, and insulation is no different. Outdated insulation releases harmful chemicals in a process that’s called off-gassing. The good news is that off-gassing is accompanied by a foul smell, so you’ll know something’s wrong right away.

Be wary of contractors who want to cover your attic with foam board. Despite its flame-resistant properties, this type of insulation can do more harm than good once it starts to break down. The chemical that makes it fireproof can seep into your living space and cause cancer after years of exposure.

Lack of protective equipment

Improperly installed attic insulation can make you sick if you’re the one installing it. As an example, spray foam requires personal protective equipment like goggles, gloves and a gas mask to prevent severe irritation. Spray foam is safe in its solid state, but may damage your lungs and skin during the installation process. It’s best to exercise caution and hire a professional in Northern California to install spray foam insulation for you.

Skin irritants and dust

Some insulation materials naturally emit airborne toxins and should be avoided in the home altogether. As the name suggests, fiberglass insulation is constructed with microscopic pieces of glass that irritate the respiratory system and become lodged in a person’s skin. Cellulose insulation releases dust that settles down into your living space and will trigger your family members’ allergy symptoms. These materials are not only uncomfortable, but also pose a serious health risk.

Installing insulation is not a DIY project. When you hire a trained professional from Ace Insulation Inc., you protect your family and guarantee a safe living space for years to come. We offer a variety of insulation materials to choose from and will make the appropriate suggestion with your family’s health and comfort as the top priorities. Reach out to learn more!

The average person doesn’t spend a ton of time up in their attic, so it’s easy to forget everything that’s up there. However, the attic holds some of the most important insulation for your home. Attic insulation is crucial for both keeping your home comfortable throughout the year and ensuring that it’s energy efficient.

Unfortunately, attic insulation doesn’t last forever. After about 15 years, homeowners should consider replacing attic insulation in Northern California. Some folks may need to replace their insulation sooner than that, though.

Here are few signs that it’s time to replace your attic insulation:

• Higher energy bills: If your heating and cooling costs seem to be rising each month, it might be due to failing insulation up in the attic. As insulation ages, it becomes less effective at retaining interior heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. Talk to a professional about upgrading your insulation to help save some money on your bills.
• Uncomfortable drafts: Feeling a draft in the house when the windows are closed is a sign that something’s amiss. The draft could be a sign that your attic insulation isn’t blocking outdoor air from entering your home. It could also mean that the wall insulation isn’t doing its job. Either way, you should consult a pro about your insulation situation.
• Moldy insulation: Take a moment to inspect the insulation in your attic. If there’s any mold or mildew growth, you’ll need to remove it and talk to a professional about updating insulation in the attic. Not only is moldy insulation ineffective, but it’s also a health concern.

The best types of insulation

All attic insulation isn’t created equal. Here are a few of the best types to choose the next time you’re updating insulation in your attic in Northern California:

• Blown-in insulation: Blown-in insulation is often made of fiberglass and is used to fill the nooks and crannies in attics. Installing it can be a DIY job, but we always recommend hiring a professional for the best results.
• Fiberglass batts: While blown-in insulation is great for the flooring, fiberglass batts are commonly used for the walls. Batts are easy to install yourself and relatively inexpensive to purchase. You may want to talk to a pro to ensure you’re placing the batts in the right locations.
• Spray foam: By far, the best insulation for attics is spray foam. Once it’s sprayed, the foam expands to fill every gap in the wall. Since it covers every inch, it can be up to three times more effective than traditional blown-in fiberglass or fiberglass batts. Although it costs more, homeowners might see up to a 40-percent reduction in their energy costs by switching to spray foam.

We’re your go-to team for attic insulation

Whether you’re a new homeowner adding insulation for the first time or you’re interested in replacing attic insulation in Northern California, talk to the professionals at Ace Insulation, Inc. From blown-in insulation to spray foam, we have just the products you need to keep your attic well-insulated through the summer and winter months.

Your home’s insulation is essential when it comes to promoting energy efficiency in your house and keeping you and your family comfortable. Unfortunately, there are lots of common weak spots in home insulation that many homeowners aren’t even aware of. You might not know it, but your attic is one of the places in your home that is most likely to let drafts in during the winter and increase temperatures in your home during the summer. This spring, it may be smart to think about the benefits of attic insulation installation in Northern California for your home.

Reasons to invest in attic insulation

If you’re on the fence about whether or not to invest in insulation for your attic, it’s a good idea to consider some of the benefits of new insulation. Here are a few of the reasons why it’s a good idea to get attic insulation installation in Northern California this spring:

• More effective cooling in the summer: One of the best benefits of investing in attic insulation installation in Northern California is that it will help keep your home cooler and more comfortable during the summertime. It’s common for hot air to accumulate in attics, causing the rest of your home to heat up and putting more stress on your home’s cooling system. Attic insulation installation in Northern California is a great way to keep your HVAC system working effectively and boost your home’s energy efficiency.
• Flexible scheduling: Insulation projects are much more popular in the summer and winter, when energy efficiency issues, drafts and thermal heat transfer are more common. As a result, it’s usually easier to schedule attic insulation installation in Northern California in the spring, when there is less demand on insulation contractors. Waiting until spring for this project can make it easier to schedule and offers better flexibility in project planning.
• Remodeling benefits: Lots of homeowners choose to invest in home improvement and remodeling projects in the springtime, and it’s easy to add insulation installation to your list of renovations if your home is already under construction. Spring is a great time to take on some improvement projects, like insulation upgrades, to improve your home’s efficiency, value and curb appeal. Doubling up on projects is more economical and allows you to avoid the hassle of taking on additional projects later in the year.
• Improved home value: Investing in attic insulation isn’t just good for your home’s comfort and efficiency—it’s also a great way to boost your home’s value. Attic insulation is a project that offers a great return on investment for homeowners thanks to cost savings on energy for heating and cooling and the improvement in home value.

Attic insulation installation in Northern California

For professional attic insulation installation in Northern California, reach out to Ace Insulation Inc. Our team of experienced insulation technicians has the training and expertise necessary to ensure the best outcomes possible from your investment in your home. No matter what your insulation needs might entail, our team is here to assist you. Give us a call today to get started with a quote.

Your attic may be the ideal space for storage, but it’s also meant to protect your home from the elements—that is, assuming it’s properly insulated.  Here are some benefits of investing in professional attic insulation installation in Northern California this fall.

Less heater wear and tear

Older homes and homes with insufficient insulation tend to be drafty year-round. Cold air can seep inside in the fall, while warm air escapes. Not only does poor insulation create a less comfortable environment, it’s also a top cause of wear and tear on heating and cooling systems. The HVAC system ends up working overtime to maintain an even temperature throughout your home. The good news is that proper attic insulation keeps cool air from lingering, while heat rises, giving your heater a break.

Lower energy bills

Using less energy is good for the environment and kinder on your wallet. Everyone welcomes lower energy bills, but these can be difficult to achieve when you’re having to run the heater constantly throughout the cooler months. Investing in attic insulation installation in Northern California to seal up your home can save you money on heating and cooling costs—up to 15 percent! In many cases, this equates to hundreds of dollars a year.

Safer home structure

Believe it or not, insulating your attic can prevent gradual damage to your home’s structure caused by heat and moisture accumulation. Insulation can help a lot. It stops water vapor from seeping in and destroying your walls. Insulation also slows down heat buildup in your attic and crawl spaces, conditions which can cause roofing shingles to swell and crack or the roof deck to soften. Another thing attic insulation is good for is preventing moisture buildup that often leads to mold growth.

Better indoor air quality

A lack of attic insulation may be the reason for excessive outdoor pollutants like dust, dirt, pollen and mold spores entering your home. This is not surprising, since poor insulation is the main culprit for air leaks. Over time, these airborne toxins can accumulate inside the house and significantly compromise your indoor air quality. Insulation in your attic may stop outdoor pollutants from spreading throughout your living spaces, which means everyone in your household will be able to breathe easier all day long. You might also consider removing old, pollutant-riddled insulation material and replacing it with fresh, brand-new attic insulation.

Increase indoor comfort

No matter how old or how new your HVAC system is, a home that is under-insulated (or not insulated at all) will experience severe indoor temperature fluctuations. The rooms in your home can become cold or hot more quickly when the temperature changes outside—especially the rooms and spaces on upper floors and closer to the attic. If you notice a temperature difference of 10 to 15 degrees between the stories in your home, it’s a sign of a home with too little insulation.

Anyone in need of new or additional attic insulation installation in Northern California is encouraged to call the professionals at Ace Insulation Inc. to schedule an appointment!

During the summer, rising temperatures can contribute to discomfort in homes without sufficient insulation or cooling features. To keep yourself and your family members as comfortable as possible when temperatures start to spike this summer, it’s important to invest in home improvements that will reduce thermal heat transfer and contribute to the effective operation of your cooling system. Understanding the importance of attic insulation in Northern California during the summer months can help you ensure that your home stays as comfortable as possible.

How attic insulation affects home temperature

Hot air from outside your home primarily comes in through your attic. Wood and drywall absorb heat, which creates a superheating effect that can cause temperatures in your attic to skyrocket and exceed outdoor temperatures. When your attic is heated like this, it naturally transfers to other parts of your home and counteracts your cooling system. This contributes to elevated temperatures throughout your home, even when your AC system is operating the way that it’s supposed to.

To prevent thermal heat transfer from occurring and increasing the temperature in your home, it’s important to insulate your attic effectively. Investing in insulation can improve the energy efficiency of your home, save you money on cooling and boost the value of your home in the long run.

Choosing the right insulation

When you’re considering investing in attic insulation in Northern California, you should carefully assess all of your different options. Traditional fiberglass batt insulation is a popular choice among homeowners, but you should consider some of the other options that are out there as well. Blown-in insulation is a good choice if your attic has a lot of nooks and crannies between panels and beams that are difficult to fill with fiberglass batts that have to be individually cut and shaped. You should also consider spray foam insulation if you want to create an airtight barrier between your attic and the outside of your home.

The best way to determine which type of insulation is right for you is to work with a professional insulation contractor who can provide you with product recommendations. They will be able to walk you through all of your different options and help you find the insulation material that suits your particular needs. You can request a consultation in your home and allow a contractor to inspect your attic so that they can offer an informed suggestion based on their knowledge and expertise.

Learn more about attic insulation in Northern California

Get the insulation recommendations you need to keep your home cool and comfortable this summer by reaching out to the team at Ace Insulation Inc. Since 2011, our experts have been developing a reputation for the quality of our services and the satisfaction of our customers. As a locally owned and operated company, we are committed to providing the best service possible to our customers and maintaining a positive reputation in the community. Learn more and get started with a consultation and quote by giving us a call today!