How home insulation works?
Insulation acts as a barrier to the natural movement of heat. During winter, when your home is warmer than the external environment, insulation helps to impede the outward flow of heat. Conversely, in summer, when the outside is warmer, insulation hinders the inward movement of heat. Slowing down heat transfer minimizes the workload on your heating and cooling systems, resulting in energy savings and increased home comfort.
Why insulate your home?
Value & Savings
Add insulation and seal air leaks around your home to increase comfort and energy efficiency while saving up to 50% on your annual energy costs.
Enhance Comfort
Adding insulation to the attic or ceiling can achieve an R-30 to R-49 rating—that means more insulating power at a lower cost than replacing windows. If improving comfort is what you’re after, insulation should be your first solution.
Reduce Sound
Acoustic insulation is one of the best ’quieting’ technologies available. A good noise control insulation package not only increases the comfort of your home but also adds to its value.
Prevent Ice Dams
Insulation helps prevent and reduce ice dams by maintaining consistent attic temperatures, avoiding uneven snow melting and refreezing. This safeguards against water damage and boosts energy efficiency in winter.
Value & Savings
Insulating for Comfort
Insulating for Sound
Preventing Ice Dams
Home owners today pay hundreds of dollars in energy bills each month. Most are unaware that they have a measure of control over their home energy usage, and have opportunities to significantly reduce their heating and cooling bills. Turning lights off, reducing hot water temperature, and using the dishwasher less can help, but these are relatively small benefits compared to proper insulation. Proper home insulation can keep your energy bills down in both winter and summer, keep your house more comfortable, and keep it quieter! According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 50-70% of the energy used in the average American home; 20% for lighting, appliances, and heating water; and between 10-30% for everything else. Even in newer homes, adding insulation can help reduce energy bills. Unless special attention was paid to energy efficient construction methods, your insulation may not be adequate.
What is R value?
The R-value is a crucial metric in the realm of home insulation, representing the material's thermal resistance. It measures how effectively a particular insulation material resists the transfer of heat, with a higher R-value indicating better insulation performance. Essentially, the R-value quantifies the material's ability to impede heat flow, both in terms of preventing heat from escaping during winter and keeping it out during summer. A higher R-value is desirable, as it signifies increased energy efficiency and a more effective barrier against temperature fluctuations. Homeowners should consider the optimal R-value for their specific climate and ensure that their insulation meets or exceeds these standards to maximize energy savings and enhance overall home comfort.
Where to Insulate?
Attics & Flat Ceilings
Exterior Side Walls
Floors & Crawl Spaces
Basements
Areas Overlooked
Interior Walls
Insulation Options
What product should I choose for insulating my home?
Cellulose and Mineral Wool are among the most common home insulation options. They are economical, readily available, and familiar to most contractors. The ambitious homeowner — with the right instructions and equipment — can even install some of these products on his/her own. Through careful analysis and over 30 years of operation and experience, Ace & Sons has chosen to use only Cellulose Insulation, and here’s why:
CELLULOSE
Cellulose insulation is primarily composed of shredded, recycled newspaper together with small amounts of cardboard. It has a fluffy consistency and can be sprayed into wall cavities and attics. Treated with boric acid, cellulose insulation is a natural insect repellent, mold inhibitor, and fire retardant.
For the health conscious, blown cellulose is the safe choice. While producing some dust during installation, it contains NO CANCER CAUSING FIBERS. It is safe for both installers and homeowners!
For the environmentally conscious, cellulose insulation is the smart choice as it recycles many tons of newspaper that would otherwise be taking up space in landfills.
MINERAL WOOL
In the past, Mineral Wool (or Rock Wool) was the most widely used insulation option in the USA and Canada. It is a fibrous insulation made from stone and/or iron ore waste from the steel making industry. Like fiberglass, it comes in blankets or can be blown in as loose fill.
Heavier than fiberglass and cellulose, mineral wool is moisture-resistant and retains its insulating properties even when wet. It is an excellent acoustic insulator and can withstand temperatures of over 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.
How much attic insulation do I need?
If you think you’re among the 90% of US homes that are under-insulated,1 performing a simple insulation inspection will help you determine your insulation needs.First things first, you need to go up into your attic, inspect the condition of the insulation, and calculate the current level of insulation. Your attic should have a certain amount of insulation in it, and the recommended level of insulation for your attic is dependent on where you live.
Does your attic insulation measure up?
Assessing what you’ve got
How much insulation should you install?
Are you under-insulated?
The Department of Energy estimates that at least 80 million existing homes need to be re-insulated. Building codes since 2008 have required increases in insulation to promote energy conservation. Filling the voids in sidewalls prevents heated or cooled air from escaping and stops outside air from getting in. In addition to blown cellulose properly installed by Ace & Sons in your attic, you can create the ultimate barrier against heat and cold.
The biggest losses occur through walls and roofs, so even after installing new windows, you may only reduce energy costs by around 20%.
Consult with a professional at Ace & Sons to determine your best solution. For a free analysis, contact us.
