Custom Insulation Blog

Many homeowners are making home improvements to save energy this winter. Right now, all over Massachusetts, people are feeling the cool breeze and are beginning to think about getting their homes ready for winter. At Custom Insulation we thought we would remind you of the tax credit and how you can take advantage of it.

To qualify for the energy tax credit, the improvements must be on an existing home and your principal residence.

Insulation: Adding adequate insulation is one of the most cost-effective home improvements that you can do.
The tax credit amount is 10% of the cost, up to $500.

Typical bulk insulation products can qualify, such as batts, rolls, blown-in, and spray foam insulation.
Insulation that air seals (reduces air leaks) qualify, as long as they come with a Manufacturers Certification Statement. Keep in mind that the tax credit doesn’t include installation costs.

Biomass stoves:  Pellet stoves burn biomass fuel, wood pellets, to heat a home.

The tax credit amount is $300 and the thermal efficiency rating of the pellet stove must be at least 75%.

If you are interested in learning more about the Energy Tax Credit, or how Custom Insulation can help you with energy efficient products, contact us.

Properly insulating and air sealing your attic will help reduce your energy bills. Attics are often one of the easiest places in a house to insulate, especially if you'd like to add insulation.

Warning: if you think you have vermiculite insulation in your attic, there's a chance it could contain asbestos. Don't disturb it. Only insulation contractors certified to handle and remove asbestos should deal with vermiculite insulation.

Loose-fill or batt insulation is typically installed in an attic. Loose-fill insulation is usually less expensive to install than batt insulation. Often, loose-fill insulation usually provides better coverage.

Also, before having any type of insulation installed in your attic be sure to seal all attic-to-home air leaks. Most insulation does not stop airflow.

Also be sure to insulate and air seal your attic access if it's located in a conditioned part of your house.

You'll want to properly insulate and air seal any vertical walls with attic space directly behind them in your home as well.

Contact Custom Insulation Company for ideas on how to better insulate your home to decrease your energy bills this winter.

The movement toward green technologies has been widely discussed recently, as more companies and consumers have looked for ways to become more ecofriendly.

One such green, energy-saving technology not receiving much fanfare is spray foam insulation, which contractors apply through high-pressure pumps, which then expands within cracks and various crevices to block any areas that air flows through.

Custom Insulation provides this advanced type of insulation as well as bio-based fiberglass batts.

 With three solutions now available, spray foam, blown in and blanket insulation, they have the ability to work with various clients.

There are places where blanket insulation is best, others places where blown in is best and then there are places where they will advise using spray foam. And all three products may even be used on the same house.

The efficiency of the insulation can lead to greater long-term savings. Within three to five years, most home or building owners witness this increased savings.

There are a lot of people in and around Worcester, Massachusetts who are finally having their home repairs taken care of from this past winter’s ice dam damage. We have found that people who are having their interior ceilings and or walls pulled down and replaced are finding that their insulation is more than lacking. However, who wants to rip down interior ceilings and walls in undamaged rooms, just to replace old and ill fitting insulation? No one!

Blown in insulation is really about the only way to insulate existing, closed-up walls and ceilings. Tthe only other option is to start pulling off siding or rip out interior drywall.

Consider this if you are a DIY and are considering renting a machine. One reality of blown in insulation is that it is an imperfect process. It is not easy get cellulose fibers to pass through a two-inch wide hole and settle uniformly and completely all throughout a wall cavity. Especially in older homes, wall obstructions are everywhere in criss-crossing electrical wires, plaster "keys", blocking, etc.

Those who work with blown in insulation consider it almost an intuitive process. Most insulation technicians are experienced at finding blockages and wires, and know how to work around them. Contact Custom Insulation today to improve your home’s insulation and energy efficiency.