As home-owners, we all come to accept energy bills as a necessary evil in time. Nobody looks forward to burning through all their hard-earned money when it comes time to pay your monthly bills. Especially for your home, if something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right—particularly with regards to the practical features that protect our property, keep us comfortable, and makes our house a home. Gutter installation, gutter replacement, choosing durable materials for the exterior of the home, and carrying out regular roof maintenance are just some of the considerations involved in maintaining a house.
Another key part of your home’s ability to maintain a comfortable indoor climate is having your insulation inspected for weak points. Insulation is not a new phenomenon: humanity has been insulating homes (admittedly, in primitive ways) since the middle ages. The primary function of insulation is to maintain the temperature indoors while keeping the external environment in its proper place — outside. Insulation simultaneously reduces unwanted temperature increase and decrease, helping your family to stay comfortable in a climate of your choosing.
What Do Insulation Contractors Do?
Insulation contractors install and replace insulation materials that are responsible for maintaining the temperature in buildings. They work in commercial and residential settings.
Like any home improvement contractor, there are ways of ensuring that you get a skilled insulation contractor who provides a high quality service at a reasonable price. If you are a homeowner who is thinking about having insulation installed, it is recommended that you get at least two quotes for the work you proposed to have done. Before asking for quotes, you should research steps to hiring an insulation contractor which include inquiring about their experience, licensing and insurance details, and membership of regulatory bodies such as the Insulation Contractors Association of America (ICAA).
Slash Your Bill with the Right Insulation
There are many different types of insulation, all of which can potentially slash your energy bill. The materials used in insulation have distinct properties and different benefits. In fact, some materials are better in serving specific parts of the home than others. Here are five different insulation methods that can slash your energy bill:
Blanket Insulation
This is the most common type of housing insulation. Fiberglass insulation is a subtype of blanket insulation: we all know someone who complains of the itchiness of fiberglass when they’re up in the attic! Blanket insulation is available in batts and rolls, and is measured like a carpet in that it is cut to fit the overall area. Sometimes it comes in pre-cut sizes that fit nicely in between the spaces in an attic, making it a convenient form of insulation for residential buildings.
Concrete Block Insulation
Concrete blocks are commonly used in walls and foundations. Sometimes they contain polystyrene beads which act as built-in insulation, helping to slash your energy bill. If you’re thinking about a new construction, it’s a good idea to find out if this type of concrete block can be used. The interesting thing about concrete blocks is that they are hollow inside, so they can be packed with insulating material. However, it is more cost effective to install insulation over the blocks instead of inside of them.
Foam Board Insulation
Foam board insulation are panels of insulating material that can be used both internally and externally. They are suitable for insulating most areas around the home including foundations, roofs, walls, attics, and even basements. If being placed inside the home, foam board requires a fire-safe coating to make it fireproof. If used outside, it needs to be strengthened with a material that makes it weatherproof.
Insulating Concrete Forms
This insulation method is only suitable for new constructions because the insulation becomes part of the house’s interior structure. Foam boards or foam insulation blocks are integrated with the generic concrete wall during the concrete pouring process. They are hinged and reinforced using plastic and steel. This method means that your house’s walls are intricately connected to the insulation method.
Loose Fill Insulation
This type of insulation is usually made of tiny fiberglass particles. The material is very malleable and the particles mold themselves into any available space. There are two methods of installing this kind of insulation: pouring or blown-into an existing space. The particles are so small and the material so delicate that it won’t disturb the stability of a structure. Therefore, it’s an excellent choice for oddly shaped rooms or areas that have an obstructions. It’s also suitable for use in any part of the home and is perfect for filling in tight spaces where gaps or structural weaknesses are impairing your existing insulation.
Other Types of Insulation:
- Radiant Barriers & Reflective Insulation Systems
- Rigid Fiber Board Insulation
- Liquid Foam Insulation
- Structural Insulation Panels
As you can see, there are a wide variety of insulation choices. This is why it’s a good idea to have a professional assess your home before deciding which type is the best for you.
The Importance of In-Depth Inspections
In-depth inspections of your insulation are perhaps not the first thing you think about with regards to home maintenance, but they are very important. Why, you ask? Well, like other contracting jobs, insulation can be done correctly or shoddily. Insulation is rated using an R factor: the higher the number, the better your insulation is. Having an inspection done means that you’ll know how good your insulation is. It can save you money if it turns out your insulation performs well, and will reassure you in your decision to have it reinstalled if it performs poorly.
Inspections of this kind are more formally known as a ‘home energy audit.’ A home energy audit does much more than identify if your insulation is efficient; it gives you the power to fully customize your insulation needs. An auditor will assess every room of your room, and will possess the skills and expertise to advise you on highly customized insulation options. Their advice will help you to decide which rooms should be insulated, and with what.
An audit of this kind does even more by assessing the air circulation in your home, measuring your home’s overall resiliency to hot and cold extremes, and even identify places that are weak-spots due to leaks or cracks. To have your home’s insulation evaluated to lower energy bills and create a more consistent and controllable climate, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our expert insulation contractors.