The fall is one of the busiest times of year for insulation contractors. We tend to get lots of calls from homeowners who want to get their insulation jobs done before winter hits, so they can keep their home temperatures better regulated without having to worry about heat and energy loss during the cold weather.
However, many homeowners do not have much knowledge about insulation in general, and what they should be looking for when purchasing and installing it. With this in mind, here are a few of the most important things every homeowner should know about insulation in Petaluma, CA.
Insulation does not prevent airflow leakage
There are some frequent misunderstandings about what insulation actually does. Many people assume that because insulation is installed in areas of the home where air tends to leak out, it blocks these leaks. The truth is that insulation really doesn’t do much of anything to prevent airflow leakage. Instead, it is meant to slow heat transfer.
Think of insulation as a tool that turns your house into a thermos. It keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, decreasing the amount of energy you have to expend to regulate those temperatures. Air can still get through the insulation, but the temperature transfer slows significantly.
You don’t always need to use vapor barriers
Vapor barriers are thin polyethylene sheets (or other materials, in some circumstances) that are designed to control how much water vapor gets into an attic or crawl space. Despite what most people think, they’re not always necessary. They’ll be helpful in particularly humid climates or those that see big temperature swings, but relatively dry climates that don’t see extreme temperature shifts probably can get by without.
You need to seal up your home before adding insulation
Remember how we said insulation doesn’t prevent airflow leakage? Well, that’s the job of sealants. Air sealing is a crucial process in preventing these leaks from occurring. You should hire a professional to go through some sealing processes in the attic and basement, as these are areas of your home that are most prone to air leakage. Sealing up walls in an existing home isn’t always practical, but there are still some areas you can seal, such as gaps between the foundation and siding, as well as corner joints and other exterior gaps.
You measure efficiency of insulation with R-value
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing and installing insulation is its R-value—the unit of measurement for thermal resistance. This tells you how effective the material is at slowing down heat transfer, which is really the entire point of adding insulation in the first place. Just because a material is thicker than another material does not mean it automatically has a higher R-value—there are some materials that are simply better at retaining heat than others. Your area might have guidelines for the kinds of R-values you should be looking for in your insulation.
To learn more about insulation in Petaluma, CA, contact Ace Insulation Inc. today.
As a homeowner, you are all too familiar with the never-ending list of home projects and repairs that will all need your attention at some point. But deciding which of these are okay to do yourself and which ones are best left to the professionals is not always easy. For instance, home insulation installation looks like a simple process from the outside. However, it’s not a DIY project for many homeowners. You might be considering hiring a skilled contractor to save you time and money, but what else can they do for you and your home?
Here are some of the pros that come with hiring a licensed contractor to install insulation in your Petaluma, CA home:
A contractor is organized and efficient:
A top reason to hire a professional for insulation installation is efficiency. The installation process is not as simple as laying or spraying materials into the walls. With the help of a pro, the outcome of this highly technical work can be successful. Working with a contractor, you’ll have to decide what work needs to be done, the work schedule and your budget. This is discussed after they inspect the areas of your home that are to be insulated. Communication is key!
A contractor takes care of inspections and permits:
Ask to see the installer’s business license and proof of bonding and insurance. It’s important that the installer is legit and experienced, since wiring and plumbing are often exposed during inspections. Building permits can be confusing for someone who doesn’t know what they are doing. In the case of insulation installation, your contractor will obtain all the necessary permits. This ensures that your insulation project will be up to current building codes. Most of the time, permits are required for major installation projects (for example, if structural or mechanical changes will be made).
A contractor can prevent home hazards:
You might not have considered potential hazards and the health of your home. In many older homes (those built before the late 1970s), it’s not at all unusual to find asbestos in insulation products. Removing and agitating the material is likely to send asbestos fibers traveling through your house. For this reason, a licensed asbestos professional will come in to test your old insulation for this health hazard. The insulation pro you hire can help you choose the best insulation material that works best for your home and the region/zone you live in.
A contractor’s work can lower your energy costs:
When your home is well-insulated, you can bet money that you will see a reduction in your monthly energy bills, an increase in indoor comfort and fewer airborne issues like mold spores, bad bacteria, dust, pollen and other allergens. A properly insulated home contains heat during the winter and coolness in the summer. You’ll also experience more consistent air dispersal throughout all the rooms in your home because air is not escaping through cracks.
Contact Ace Insulation Inc. today to learn more about home insulation and the benefits that come along with hiring a contractor to install insulation in Petaluma, CA!
Insulation plays a key role in your home’s indoor comfort, but when should you add new insulation? Let’s take a look at a few important things to consider when planning home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA.
Consider the time of year
What time of year is the best time to install insulation? Right off the bat, you should know that the answer will vary depending on where you live in the United States. Living in a warmer climate means that before the summer months arrive is the most ideal time to increase insulation or install new insulation material. Meanwhile, for folks living in colder climates, the best time for insulation installation is before that cooler weather hits.
If your goal is to have the work done in time to take on the winter temperatures, then a summertime installation is recommended. This way, your home will be comfortable by the time temperatures begin to drop. And doing this in the summer is a good way to avoid the appointment rush come late fall and early winter.
Consider cost
Once you decide which season is the best time for you for home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA, you need to consider the costs of materials and service. The thing about insulation installation costs is that it remains fairly stable throughout the year. Because of this consistency, if you are hoping for a price drop closer to winter, you may not actually get a better deal. Instead, opt for an installation time that will increase energy cost savings.
Consider energy savings
Too many homeowners are unaware that they may be wasting hundreds of dollars each year because of heat or cool air leaking from roofs, windows, walls, doors and other areas. When it comes to energy savings, home insulation installation is one of those home improvement projects that is beneficial to do any time of year. No matter when you install it, a good installation job will ensure that energy is not lost. It will also ensure that the environment is protected and that you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Choose a proper R-value insulation to be installed. Yes, it is an investment, but it’s an investment that saves natural gas consumption in the wintertime and reduces the cost of electricity for air conditioning come summer. Your home will have a consistent indoor temperature throughout the seasons.
Consider the ease of the project
The easiest time to add or replace insulation is when you’re planning to tear down walls, like when doing a room or home remodel, building a home addition or upgrading the plumbing or wiring. Before you start one of these home projects, call a professional to determine if your home needs more insulation. A pro will inspect your existing insulation and calculate if it’s thick enough based on the zone you live in.
Want to find out if now is the right time to schedule home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA? Call Ace Insulation Inc. for more information!
All homes should be insulated, but that doesn’t mean that your whole home is insulated to the extent it ought to be. Time and time again we find homes that are under-insulated and could use some more insulation to be more energy efficient and comfortable throughout the year. Thankfully, as long as you know what to look for, it’s not hard to tell if your home needs more insulation. Continue reading to find out if you need to schedule attic insulation installation in Petaluma, CA:
Fluctuating temperatures: The fastest way to tell that your home is under-insulated is if your indoor temperatures are different in each room. For example, if your bedrooms are warm but your living room is cold, you know that something is amiss with your insulation. Thankfully, that’s not a hard problem to fix—just give us a call! We can address that problem so you’re comfortable throughout your home.
High energy bills: Along with keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, insulation’s main job is to keep your energy bills as inexpensive as possible. That’s tough if your home doesn’t have enough insulation! Call us for an insulation inspection if you’re tired of spending an arm and a leg each month on your energy bills.
Cold walls: This one won’t apply for a few months, but if you notice that your walls are chilly this winter, your home is probably under insulated. Go around your home and touch your walls. Do they feel damp or cold? Let’s hope not! That’s a sure sign that you need more insulation. Your ceilings and floors might also feel a bit cold to the touch if your home doesn’t have enough insulation.
Uncomfortable rooms: Are some rooms in your home too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter? Typically, we find that this is a problem on the upper levels of homes. Luckily, attic insulation installation in Petaluma, CA could be a solution. More insulation will keep your heat or conditioned air in and block outdoor weather from entering.
Frozen pipes: Running your water on freezing cold nights is one way to prevent frozen pipes. We may be able to prevent the need to turn your faucet on by adding insulation. Insulation will keep your pipes warm throughout the winter, ensuring you never have to deal with frozen pipes again.
Water leaks: Insulation does wonders to keep your conditioned air in and nasty weather out! If you’re lacking insulation in the attic, you could notice leaks after a rainstorm. More insulation (especially spray foam insulation) will help keep your home nice and dry after a storm.
Pests in your home: Few things are more unsettling than finding signs of mice or insects in your home. They sneak in through crevices and build their nests where it’s nice and comfortable inside. Adding insulation by your exterior walls should help keep these nasty pests out!
As you can see, more insulation in your home can solve a variety of problems. From high energy bills to plumbing problems, some more insulation can make your home a better place to be. Get in touch with Ace Insulation Inc. today if you’re ready to live a more comfortable life!
While most homeowners typically undertake remodels to update the visual appeal of certain areas of their home while also improving their functionality, you should also make sure that you are checking on what lies behind the walls at this time as well. Just as many homeowners will have older plumbing updated during a kitchen remodel, the same attention should be paid to the condition of your insulation. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA during your next remodel.
A cost-efficient update
If you are updating your home with a brand-new kitchen or bathroom, or finishing an attic or basement, not giving any extra attention to the insulation behind the walls in these areas that have fielded years of use could cause issues for you in the not-too-distant future. If you see that this insulation could use some work, the most cost-efficient option would be to either have a new installation done, or update the existing insulation while the remodel is underway.
During a remodel, the wall’s interior will already be exposed, and having the work completed at this time will save you additional time, hassle and most importantly costs. Even if your home is on the newer side, it is still a good idea to have your existing insulation inspected so that you can make any updates or changes before the remodel is complete.
An update to your insulation at this time will also present you with the opportunity to take advantage of all of the improvements in insulation technology that have occurred in recent years. For example, the insulation that was used before energy regulations were put into effect was much thinner than what is used now. For this reason, even if your older insulation is still in pretty good shape, it might no longer be a good fit to keep up with the demands of you and your family now.
Save money
Updating your insulation now during your remodel is a decision that will help you save money well in to the future. Adding new insulation or updating existing insulation will also refortify your home’s defense against humidity and moisture, and the subsequent mold or pest problems that could develop as a result.
New home insulation installation in Petaluma, CA should be viewed as a necessary portion of your remodel that makes it complete. You wouldn’t want your mechanic to pop your hood and fix the issue that caused you to bring your car in, while completely ignoring other glaring issues they might find once the hood is opened, and the same is true for the insulation behind your walls.
Since 2001, our experienced team here at Ace Insulation Inc has been handling brand new installations for remodels in many houses throughout the area, and we are ready to help do the same for your home as well. Give our team a call today to learn more about what we can do for your home during your upcoming remodel.
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