Achieving Proper Attic Insulation

During the summer months attics are traditionally viewed as a sweat boxes sitting above our ceilings. Attics can have extremely high temperatures when they are not shielded with proper insulation. Your attic doesn’t have to be an elevated oven every summer, however. If you have an audit performed by a professional energy efficiency consultant, the deficiencies in your attics insulation will be documented and pointed out. The auditor will also suggest ways that you can address the inefficiencies and present various solutions for you to consider.

One area they may find to be an inefficiency is having your soffits covered by insulation material. The reason this is a problem is because it restricts air flow in and out of your attic, in effect trapping the hot air in your attic and keeping it in a static state. This will definitely cause your attic to heat up to extreme temperatures as hot air compounds on hot air. This steady rise in temperature can damage your belongings by melting certain components or causing contents of canisters etc to expand, possibly to the point of explosion. This will make your home exponentially harder to cool during the summer months and your attic will be unbearable to spend any time in. People utilize attics for different reasons, some of which involve large stretches of time spent on the top level of your home.

Installing baffles is a great way to help ventilate your attic. Baffles are vent chutes that promote the flow of air through your attic, helping to circulate the air which keeps it cooler. This will also help prevent the growth of mold. If moisture exists in an environment with static, warm air, mold can begin to grow. If you have an unchecked mold growth occurring in your attic, you are at risk for several mold related health issues. Experiencing a mold bloom can not only damage your immune system, it can damage your home to the point where the property value drops or even having the home itself condemned.

An attic ventilation fan can do a lot to help avoid mold problems and circulate the air in your attic. If baffles or any other ventilation measures are installed, their effect the circulation of air in your attic will be augmented, which will lead to an attic that is exponentially cooler during the summer months when it is usually unbearable to pay your attic a visit.

The Pros of Foam Insulation

One of the areas that need to be considered when building or renovating a home is the type of insulation that is going to be used in order to keep exterior air and noise pollution from entering your home. There are many forms of insulation available on the market today and they bring differing benefits along with their own level of insulation efficiency. This blog entry is going to cover foam insulation and what it brings to the table.  Foam insulation is easily installed and performs its task very efficiently.

Efficiency

Foam insulation is extremely efficient and comes out on top when compared to fiberglass insulation. Keeping the air temperature in your house consistent is easily done when a home is equipped with foam insulation; it’s great at keeping the temperature controlled air inside your home.  The reason that foam insulation is so efficient is because it is blown into the open spaces between walls etc and expands which allows it to fill every nook and opening.

Easy Installation

The application of foam insulation is very conducive to quick and easy installation. This is especially true in already existing homes. With most forms of insulation you have to have a lot more access to the spaces that require insulation in order to upgrade. Foam insulation is blown into the open spaces, which means it only requires minimal access in order to fully insulate your home or facility.

Save Money Over the Long Haul

The upfront cost of foam insulation is going to be higher than most forms of insulation, however you will save money over the long haul as your reduced energy bills accumulate.  The ease of installation will also help you save on labor costs. If you are going to re-insulated, it is much easier to remove foam insulation as well.

Barrier Insulation Earns Esteemed 2015 Angie’s List Super Service Award

angies-list-award-insulation-contractor-phoenix

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Barrier Insulation, Inc has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2015.

“Only about 5 percent of the insulation companies in Phoenix, AZ have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2015 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

Angie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between more than three million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly rated service providers in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of more than 10 million verified reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

 

Energy Efficiency During the Winter

Are you searching for ways to improve your Energy Efficiency During the Winter? This post is meant to help keep your costs down during the colder months.  Winter time is here and we are experiencing an abnormally cold winter here in the Valley of the Sun. Getting your home prepared to stay warm and energetically efficient throughout the season can do a lot to keep you and your family comfortable as well as saving you money on your monthly energy bill. We are going to go over various ways that you can winterize your home and stay cozy until the inevitable triple digit temperatures return in a few months.

Heating System Inspection

Have your heating system inspected and maintained as soon as you can. Keeping your heating system in top shape will allow it to perform efficiently which will keep your home warm while also reducing the wear and tear you system will incur because it will not have to work as hard to produce the desired result.

Close The Vents

Make sure your foundation vents are closed. Your vents should honestly be closed by the time winter rolls around because it is advised that the vents are closed in the Fall and reopened in the Spring, but life happens and sometimes we overlook things. Make sure to check that your vents are closed as the season changes.

Check Door & Window Seals

Check your windows and doors and make sure they are in good condition and properly sealed. Unfit doors and windows are notorious for letting in cold winter air and will drastically compromise the energy efficiency of your home. That is a lose-lose situation. Checking on the seals and having them repaired if necessary is just as important as keeping the windows and doors themselves in good condition.

Inspect Attic & Home Insulation

Make sure your attic is properly insulated. It is easy to lose the heat in your home as it rises through the attic, which will cause a severe drop in energy efficiency. Investing in insulation for your attic will keep you warm and save you money.  Your attic insulation is a major key in keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient, but you should not neglect the rest of the home.  Crawl spaces, walls, and air leaks can greatly impact the energy efficiency of your home.

Insulate Your Attic Better With Higher R-Value Insulation

best attic insulation

You feel a cold chill walking down the hallway and wonder, is it a ghost? Who am I going to call? Ghostbusters? Before you start looking for a phone number that doesn’t exist, maybe try checking the numbers on your utility bill first, a little higher than some of you neighbors are paying? Maybe that’s because their attic’s are properly insulated. Properly insulated attics can save you anywhere from 10-50% off your heating bill per month.

Before you choose insulation it is wise for you to understand what makes each insulation type different and what is their resistance to heat flow also known as the R value. Insulation with higher R-values is the best type of insulation for keeping your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you are not sure what type of insulation is the best for your home you should contact an insulation installation expert near you or visit the North American Insulation Manufacturer’s Association Web site for additional information about insulation R-values. It is also good to know that insulation is cumulative meaning if your attic has R-19 insulation and more of the same insulation is added, you now have insulation with an R-value of 38.

Blown-in Insulation

Blown in insulation or loose fill insulation is made up of recycled small clumped material such as cellulose, fiberglass or mineral wood. Its installed by insulation experts that spray the insulation onto the surfaces of the attic or wall cavities. It’s also good to be aware that cellulose insulation can lose up to 20% of its R-value after settling so its always wise to install extra insulation if you are using the cellulose type.

Batt & Roll Insulation

Blanket insulation or otherwise known as roll and batt insulation is made up of several materials including plastic fibers, mineral wood or natural fibers like cotton. Lengths of this type of insulation can be cut to fit during insulation and comes in a variety of widths. This is simple insulation to install and can be done as a DIY project as long as you know your local fire and building codes and get permits before you start. Luckily, there are tons of insulation companies that can knock this job out for you and save you time, money and frustration from trying to get permits. This is usually a cheaper option than other types of insulation and provides nearly the same insulating capabilities.

Installation insulation with high R-values can help to create a barrier between your home and attic to prevent cold or heat from escaping which in turn makes your home more energy efficient. Although, adding insulation isn’t the only thing you should do to protect your attic. You might also need to seal up cracks, properly maintenance roof vents, windows and chimneys to make sure there are no wholes or cracks in them. These leaks can cost you money and other structural damage to you home.

These cracks and wholes can easily be sealed up with spray foam, caulking or weather stripping which all have their own advantages and disadvantages.

T To determine which will be best for you, search the U.S. Department of Energy Web site or talk to an professional at a insulation business. Whatever type of insulation you decide upon to install in your home’s attic, higher R-value insulation is going to cost you more but save you in the long run.