Category: Home Insulation

There are many things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home. One of the most effective things you can do is make sure your home is well insulated. This goes beyond just the insulation in the walls of your home.

Here’s some helpful information to keep in mind about how energy efficiency and insulation go hand in hand.

Insulation keeps heating costs down

The main purpose of insulation is to keep the inside of your home at a stable temperature, no matter what the weather may be like outside. It does this by creating a barrier to absorb heat and keep it from transferring that warmth. This works to keep heat inside your home when it’s cold outside as much as it does to keep heat out when you want it to stay cool inside.

According to the United States Department of Energy, about 50 percent of heat loss in residential buildings (and 60 percent of heat in commercial buildings) escapes through walls, foundations and the roof. It makes sense, then, to insulate these areas and to possibly cut down on the amount of heat loss your building will experience.

Beyond the walls

Insulation is important to have in the walls of your home, but it’s also important to have in the high and low places, too. That means the attic and floor should be insulated, especially to protect against heat loss in the winter months.

Heat will naturally rise to the highest point in a space—and that’s the attic. You could be losing a lot of heat through the attic of your home even if you don’t realize it. The same goes for the floors: If you don’t have insulation beneath the flooring of your home, be it carpet, hardwood or something else, you could be losing a lot of heat right into the ground.

Another part of insulation is how well the windows and doors in your home are sealed. Even a little gap can let a steady stream of cold air in or out. A tight seal is an important insulation tool against heat transfer. Make sure your windows shut tightly and there are no gaps in the sealing of the frame. Also, check to see if the weatherstripping on your doors is in good shape. You should do this at the beginning of winter and replace them as needed.

Beyond the minimum

The effectiveness of a given insulation material is measured by its R-value. There are standards for R-values, as well as minimum requirements for homes and commercial buildings, but that doesn’t mean you have to go with the bare minimum. Depending on your home and energy use, it might make sense to go with a more effective insulation beyond the minimum requirement.

To determine what type of insulation is best for your home, it’s best to have a professional come for an inspection. When you’re ready to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home with new insulation, contact Ace Insulation Inc. today.

If you want to increase your home value, one good way is by adding insulation to your home. There are several ways this will increase your home value. Two big reasons are that it will make your home more comfortable to live in and it will cut down on energy costs.

Whether you are looking to make your home more cost efficient for you and your family to live in or you’re looking for a return on investment for a potential sale, insulation is a solid choice for increasing your home’s value.

Here are some more details on how adding home insulation can increase the value of your home.

Resale value

One thing you can do to help your home stand apart on the housing market is to make it as green as possible. Many buyers are looking not only to save money on energy costs in their new home to also reduce their carbon footprint on the Earth. Performing energy-efficiency upgrades on your home is a good way to work toward both of these goals.

This includes making sure your home has good insulation. Not only in spaces you occupy frequently, like the living room, bedroom or kitchen, but in spaces where heat might escape in colder months, like the attic or garage.

Home insulation has a great return on investment (ROI), too. Because it won’t suffer the same kind of wear and tear as other home upgrades, like kitchen remodeling or hardwood floors, its value remains intact years after the work is done. A 2016 report by Remodeling Magazine showed that attic insulation, in particular, was the most profitable energy-efficiency upgrade one can perform on their home, with a 117 percent ROI rate.

Energy efficiency

Another reason why home insulation is a good investment toward the value of your home is that you will immediately start to see the financial benefits of adding insulation while you live in the home. Your energy bills will start to decrease because you won’t need to run the heater or air conditioner as often. This will be especially helpful in the colder winter months or when the next heat wave hits.

But it’s not just about saving money—there’s quality of life to consider, too. On a hot day, there’s nothing like coming home to that cool rush of perfectly-chilled air hitting you in the face as you open the door. Instead of having to go to a movie theater to take advantage of the air conditioning, you can relax in the comfort of your own home and enjoy the same experience.

And when the weather gets cold, you won’t feel the bite of winter when you get up for a glass of water in the middle of the night. Your family (and your pets!) will be comfortable year-round—and that’s something that is hard to put a price on.

Insulation is not only a solid investment financially in your home, but it’s a great way to enhance your quality of life. When you’re ready to have insulation added to your home, contact Ace Insulation Inc. today.

There are all kinds of tips out there to help homeowners save money, but the best money-saving tips are those that offer additional benefits, like improved home comfort and reduced energy waste. One of the best things homeowners can do to save money and enjoy additional benefits is insulate their homes.

Home insulation is crucial when it comes to improving the performance and efficiency of HVAC systems and reducing moisture intrusion during the fall and winter months. If you’re wondering how home insulation can help cut your household costs, keep reading to learn more.

How does insulation save money?

A lot of homeowners don’t realize that insulation can contribute to cost savings, but the reality is that effective home insulation can actually make a huge difference when it comes to your household expenses. Insulation is designed to regulate your indoor temperature by blocking airflow from outside. During the summer months, effective insulation blocks thermal heat transfer to keep indoor air cool. In the winter months, meanwhile, insulation blocks drafts and keeps warm air inside.

Keeping indoor temperatures consistent is key when it comes to minimizing energy waste when using heating and cooling systems. The more effective your insulation is, the easier it is to maintain the desired temperature in your home. By keeping indoor temperatures steady, insulation reduces the need for constant heating and cooling cycles. The more an HVAC system turns on and off, the more energy it requires to operate. This constant cycling can lead to significant energy waste over time that seriously drives up costs for homeowners.

Good insulation minimizes waste by supporting the effective operation of home HVAC systems, which can translate to major cost savings for homeowners. In fact, many homeowners experience energy savings of 15 percent or more after investing in insulation upgrades. This kind of reduction in energy use can save homeowners hundreds of dollars a year. Over time, the money saved with insulation installation can exceed the cost of insulation upgrades. Even though insulation can be a big investment for homeowners, it can really pay off over time.

Another way in which home insulation can benefit homeowners is by increasing the value of a home. Insulation upgrades can contribute to an average home value increase of around $1,500. Considering the fact that insulation upgrades typically cost between $1,000 and $2,000, and taking into account the energy-saving benefits of insulation upgrades, the cost of upgrading insulation can be well worth the cost and offer returns that are greater than the upfront investment.

Upgrade your home insulation

For quality home insulation to cut your energy costs and keep your home as comfortable as possible throughout the year, reach out to Ace Insulation Inc. Our locally owned and operated business has been providing customers with comprehensive insulation services to keep their homes comfortable, energy efficient and resilient to the elements. We offer a variety of insulation options, including cellulose, fiberglass, blown-in insulation and more so you can get the material and performance that’s perfect for your needs. Find out more about our services by giving our team a call today.

Insulation installation is a key phase in the home construction process, but homes that were built decades ago often lack the kind of comprehensive insulation modern homes enjoy. Retrofitting older homes with new insulation can be a costly process, so many homeowners are hesitant to invest in this kind of project. For homeowners who live in warm climates, insulation might not seem very important. However, the reality is that insulation is essential no matter what the weather is like in your area.

The importance of home insulation

You might not spend much time thinking about your home’s insulation, but it’s essential when it comes to HVAC performance, energy efficiency and even the structural integrity of your home. Whether your home has outdated insulation, or it never had comprehensive insulation to begin with, it’s worth it to consider some of the benefits of getting insulation installation or upgrades. Here are a few of the reasons why home insulation is so important:

• Energy efficiency: One of the primary reasons why home insulation is so beneficial is because it boosts energy efficiency. Insulation blocks airflow between the inside and outside of your home to prevent temperature fluctuations. During the winter, insulation blocks drafts and keeps indoor air warm. In the summer, insulation prevents cool air from escaping and keeps your home comfortable when it gets hot outside. Effective insulation can make a huge difference in the energy efficiency of your home, so it can have a major impact on monthly energy costs.
• Reduced moisture: One of the most common weather-related problems homeowners experience is mold and mildew development due to elevated moisture levels. Thankfully, effective insulation can cut down on moisture significantly and reduce the risk of mold and mildew growing in attics and inside walls. This is essential to the quality of your indoor air and to the preservation of your home’s structural integrity, which can be threatened by water damage and excessive moisture.
• Noise reduction: Another benefit of home insulation installation is that it can minimize noise and help you enjoy a quieter home environment. Insulation blocks out street noise and other outdoor noise so you don’t have to deal with disruptions when you’re trying to relax at home.
• Home value boost: The initial cost of insulation installation can make homeowners hesitant to invest in these services, but the long-term benefits are well worth the upfront cost. Installing new insulation can increase home value by hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the details and scope of the project, so the costs of installation are often offset completely by the boost in home value.

Home insulation installation

At Ace Insulation Inc., we know how important home insulation is, and we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality insulation services for our customers. We’re a locally owned and operated business with years of experience providing insulation installation services. Whether you need insulation for an older home or you’re looking for help installing insulation for new construction, our team is here to help. Give us a call today to get started with a consultation and a quote.

Whether you live in a noisy neighborhood or want to train a herd of elephants in the privacy of your own home, soundproofing is a must. The best way to reduce noise is to use insulation as soundproofing in your Northern California home. Insulation is made of porous materials that can trap heat, preventing it from penetrating into (or out of) your walls. However, it can also muffle noise. Here are some of the best insulation choices for soundproofing purposes:

• Batt: Batt insulation comes in rolls or “blankets.” It’s usually made of fiberglass, which is stiff and fire resistant. Since it comes in rolls, it’s easy to cut it down to the size you need without too much effort. If you’re cutting more unusual shapes, however, it may be more time-consuming than if you were only creating thin rectangles. Batt insulation comes in a number of different thicknesses, so you can use it no matter how small the space between your walls may be.
• Foam spray: Spray foam insulation is one of the easiest types to install. All your insulation contractor has to do is spray the foam in the wall spaces, then scrape off any excess. This is ideal when your home is full of pipes, cables and other obstructions. Unlike with batt insulation, there’s no cutting involved. However, it does require a professional for installation—both batt and spray foam insulation can be hazardous to your health unless you wear the proper safety gear.
• Insulation boards and panels: These boards and panels are usually made of Styrofoam or a similar material, and are often installed on exterior walls. However, they can be installed on interior walls as well. They’re suitable for floors, ceilings, basement ceilings and even attics, as well as your walls. To be in compliance with most fire codes, they must be covered with gypsum board. Ask your insulation contractors for more information about whether this is the right option for your home or commercial building.
• Blown: Finally, blown insulation can also help soundproof your home. It’s similar to spray foam insulation, but it has a looser, less connected structure that works well for irregularly-shaped areas. This can be used in walls as well as floors. It’s made from fiberglass, cellulose or mineral rock left in small chunks. This helps it fill oddly shaped spaces.

Depending on your insulation goals, one of these types of insulation may be much better for your needs. Chances are you’ll need insulation to prevent heat transfer in your building, which means that it’s smart to choose an insulation type that meets both requirements.

If you’re not sure what kind of insulation to choose for soundproofing, talk to one of the friendly contractors at Ace Insulation Inc. Our team is well versed in noise-reducing insulation of all kinds, and we understand the different microclimates of Northern California and Nevada. Together, we can assess your building and your needs to find the right kind of insulation for you. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.