Insulation is designed to last a long time, but all insulation must be replaced eventually. Regardless of what kind of insulation you have or how old it is, it’s important to be on the lookout for signs you need to replace your insulation in Northern California. Old, outdated insulation leads to energy waste and reduces comfort in your home—not to mention the fact that it can take a toll on your home’s value. With that in mind, make sure you’re aware of some of the most common indicators that you need insulation replacement.

Investing in insulation can be expensive, so a lot of homeowners delay insulation replacement when issues arise. Unfortunately, waiting too long to replace insulation can increase energy waste, reduce comfort and reduce your home’s value. Here are a few signs to look for to determine when it’s time to replace your insulation:

• Increased energy usage: If you’ve noticed that your energy bills are gradually increasing over time, it’s possible that old or outdated insulation is to blame. When insulation starts to wear out, it’s unlikely that you’ll see a sudden spike in your energy usage, but you might see an upward trend in energy use over time if your insulation isn’t working as effectively as it used to.
• Temperature fluctuations indoors: If temperatures are fluctuating inside or you’ve noticed more drafts in your home, even when all your doors and windows are closed, your insulation might be the cause. This can happen as time goes by and insulation wears out, but it’s also common with newer insulation if there are gaps between insulation panels or uneven coverage.
• Nesting pests: Pests like ants, termites, mice, rats, raccoons and squirrels can cause all kinds of problems in your home, including insulation damage. If pests are nesting in your insulation, it’s important to get the problem fixed as soon as possible. Make sure to take care of the infestation by hiring a pest control specialist and get your damaged insulation replaced. Nesting damage from pests can take a significant toll on the efficiency and performance of your insulation, so it’s best to replace the damaged material as soon as you can.
• Water damage: Whether your insulation has sustained damage as a result of a leaky roof or because of a broken window, it’s impossible for insulation to fully recover after water damage. Water damage is one of the most significant signs you need to replace your insulation in Northern California, and it’s important to take even minor water damage seriously.

Insulation replacement services

Learn more about the signs you need to replace your insulation in Northern California and get professional insulation replacement services by reaching out to Ace Insulation Inc. Since 2001, we’ve been providing home and business owners throughout our community with comprehensive insulation services. After so many years, we’ve developed a reputation for the quality of our insulation installation, repair and replacement services and the satisfaction of our customers. Give us a call to get started with a quote for your insulation project.

Spring is regarded as a season of new beginnings, and it’s the perfect time to invest in some new changes to your home. Remodeling and renovation projects can improve your home’s value, curb appeal, comfort and efficiency. One of the most beneficial springtime projects is insulation installation in Northern California. There are lots of reasons why it’s worth it to invest in insulation installation for your home this spring. Read on to learn more!

Why invest in insulation?

There are lots of reasons why homeowners should consider investing in new insulation. For starters, insulation is essential when it comes to the comfort and efficiency of your home, and having insufficient insulation can lead to all kinds of problems. Even newer homes often have a lack of insulation that contributes to drafts during the winter and thermal heat transfer during the summer. To minimize these problems, it’s a good idea to consider insulation installation in Northern California. Here are a few of the best reasons to invest in new insulation this spring:

• Better contractor availability: There tends to be a greater demand for insulation services during the summer and fall, so it’s often easier to schedule insulation installation in Northern California in the springtime. Because contractors aren’t as busy at this time of year, it’s easier to find appointment times that work with your schedule without waiting for weeks for a contractor’s availability to open up.
• Improved comfort: While the weather in the springtime tends to be pretty mild, you’ll be glad that you made the investment in your insulation when temperatures start to become more extreme. During the summer months, heat waves can make it very difficult to keep your home cool and comfortable without the proper insulation. In the wintertime, meanwhile, insufficiently insulated homes are vulnerable to drafts from freezing temperatures. By investing in your home’s insulation this spring, you will improve the comfort of your home environment throughout the year.
• Summer cost savings: Another great benefit of improving your home’s insulation in the spring is that it allows you to take advantage of cost savings during the summer months. Improved home insulation reduces stress on your HVAC system so it doesn’t have to work as hard to moderate the temperature in your home. This can noticeably reduce the amount you pay for energy and help you save money on cooling during the summer. Improving your insulation can also reduce the amount you pay for energy to heat your home during the winter. Over the years, these cost savings can really add up and help you secure a great return on your investment in insulation improvements.

Insulation installation in Northern California

At Ace Insulation Inc., we know how beneficial insulation installation in Northern California can be, and we are here to help you get your home properly insulated. We offer comprehensive insulation services, and we specialize in improvements and repairs for existing structures. No matter what your needs may be, our team is here to help. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can assist you.

Northern California has suffered a spate of severe wildfires over the last few years, destroying millions of acres and tens of thousands of residences. Experts say that grass fire season could start even earlier than usual this year thanks to offshore wind and weather patterns, meaning that if you live in a fire-prone area, it might be time to reconsider what kind of insulation you use in your home.

Fire-resistant insulation

At Ace Insulation Inc., we use Roxul batt insulation to help safeguard homes against fires. This type of insulation is also called mineral wool, rock wool or slag wool insulation (Roxul is the most common brand name), and it’s designed to be fire resistant in excess of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fire-resistant insulation can protect your home—depending on which kind you choose—for up to two hours against wildfires. As we know all too well, firefighters are spread thin during massive wildfires, and every second of protection counts. Compare this to traditional fiberglass insulation, which will melt and allow smoke to pass through into the house.

Roxul batt insulation is not only good for your exteriors, thanks to its fire-resistant nature, but you might consider using it to insulate your interior walls as well. This helps with what’s called “passive fire resistance” (as opposed to active fire resistance using devices like sprinklers and fire extinguishers), where the goal is to prevent the fire from spreading as much as possible by preventing smoke, gas and fire from moving from room to room. When you compartmentalize your home this way, you can cut down on the havoc a potential fire will wreak.

It also provides all the traditional benefits of insulation. First, it has a strong R-value, meaning it will help stabilize your home’s interior temperature no matter what the weather outside is like, which is the main use for insulation. Second, it offers superior soundproofing capabilities, whether you’d like to keep the noise in or out of your home. Finally, it’s easier to install and holds its shape better than fiberglass batt insulation, saving you time and labor costs.

For us, the choice is clear, especially considering that there is apparently no end in sight to the devastating California wildfire season. If you live in the line of fire, consider replacing your insulation with fire-resistant Roxul batt insulation today.

Insulation installation in Northern California

Ace Insulation Inc. has been offering high-quality insulation installation in Northern California since 2011. Having the right kind of insulation for your home will not only save you money on your utility bills, but it could also help save your vulnerable home from fire damage. Our family owned and operated business is passionate about providing great service at affordable prices, so you can save money all year long. Are you interested in learning more about how Roxul batt insulation can protect your home from wildfires? Get in touch with Ace Insulation Inc. today to learn more and get a quote on new insulation for your home.

Homeowners choose to install insulation in their Northern California homes for one main reason: to protect their living spaces from outside air. You might be thinking to yourself that your walls and attic are already insulated, so you don’t need to install insulation. However, this may not be the case. Keep in mind that many older homes can actually benefit from new or additional insulation material, while the owners of newly-built homes need to carefully consider their options during the design phase.

However, poor insulation is not the only cause of cold drafts in the winter. Drafts can be found around doors, windows, pipes, attics and crawlspaces. And cold air is not the only thing that can get inside your house through the smallest openings and uninsulated spaces— moisture and pests can, too.

Don’t let ice-cold winter wind chills get you down—get ahead of them instead! Here are some tried and true ways to draft-proof your home’s windows and doors:

• New weather-stripping: The type of weather-stripping designed for use on windows and doors keeps outside air out and inside air in. It does this by sealing drafty door and window borders, and starts working as soon as it’s applied. Just about all brands of weather-stripping are inexpensive and very easy for homeowners to install themselves.
• Door sweeps: Replacing old or damaged door sweeps with new ones can make a huge difference in the draft department. Door sweeps attach to the very bottom of exterior-facing doors. They can look like thin little brooms, almost bristly, or be more like a gentle scraper or shield made of rubber. You can also get wooden door sweepers to match your door.
• Foam tape: While weather-stripping is ideal for sealing around doors and windows, it can be difficult to use on doors that are slightly warped. A good weather-proofing alternative is a sticky foam tape. All you have to do is cut it to size and secure it in the areas that are drafty.
• Insulate around frames: Assessing insulation behind enclosed walls is not as easy as glancing around at the insulation in an attic. But, if you feel cold drafts coming from around window or door frames, it could be worth the time and money to have your insulation checked and possibly replaced.
• DIY window film: Single-, dual- and triple-pane window glass can all benefit from window film. This film resembles plastic wrap before being adhered to the glass and heated with a hair dryer—it shrinks and seals over drafty windows. When installed correctly, this DIY window film works great.
• Hang insulated curtains: Insulated curtains, also called thermal curtains, can help retain heat in your home during the cold winter months, but they have to be drawn shut to be effective. This may not be a good option for you if you prefer natural light shining into your house.

If you are ready for the pros to come out and install insulation in your Northern California home, make sure your first call is to Ace Insulation Inc. Contact us anytime for more information!

Whether you’re in the insulation business or a building owner getting ready for renovations, you may have heard of firestopping insulation. But what is it, and what do you need to know about it? Read on for some details regarding the use of firestopping insulation. When you’re ready to invest in insulation installation in Northern California, this may prove to be a good option!

What is firestopping insulation?

Firestopping insulation is designed to stop fire from spreading. Even in the most extreme temperatures, this material can resist heat and melting. A unique characteristic of this particular firestopping insulation is that it doesn’t produce smoke, which makes it a great option for commercial and industrial applications. It upgrades your building to a stronger R-value insulation while also fulfilling fire safety requirements.

Firestopping insulation is lightweight and semi-rigid, made from stone wool and created to provide firestopping and acoustical properties for a variety of buildings. It fills perimeter gaps between concrete flooring, floor and ceiling slabs, exterior walls and firewalls, and can be installed around conduit pipes and duct openings running through floors and walls. Not only it is fire resistant and non-combustible, it also won’t create toxic smoke or allow flames to spread. Other benefits include its ability to increase a building’s energy efficiency, improve thermal stability and control noise coming into and leaving the building.

Three common misconceptions

Although firestopping insulation is highly praised in the industry, not everything you may have heard about it is true. Let’s break down the three most common myths surrounding firestopping insulation to set the record straight:

• Caulks and sealant have to be red: One of the top misunderstandings about firestopping caulks and sealants is that they must be red in color. This is not true, as there are no code requirements that enforce it. The truth is that firestopping sealants and caulks come in many different colors in order to differentiate the types of products and how they are to be used.
• Polyurethane foam is a firestopping material: Not all insulation materials are firestopping products—they must bear the correct markings from a third-party testing agency. This is important to know, since low-density polymer foams can ignite easily and be taken over by fire. That said, polyurethane foam, unless specifically formulated and tested for firestopping use, is a terrible choice as a fire barrier insulation material.
• All pipe insulation is similarly firestopped: This statement is simply not true. Keep in mind that the fire protection performance of pipe insulation materials can vary dramatically. For instance, some non-combustible insulation materials like mineral wool can resist fire and actually help during the firestopping process. But since low-density polymer foam insulation can be challenging generally to firestop, the firestopping material used on pipe insulation also needs careful consideration.

If you’re a homeowner or building owner who wants more information about firestopping insulation installation in Northern California, feel free to contact the team at Ace Insulation Inc. Reach out to us for all of your insulation needs!