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Custom Insulation Boston Worcester Blog

Copper Gutters are the Clear "Green" Choice for New Homes and Remodels

10 April 2012

If you are thinking of building a new home or renovating the home you have, you know that green building materials are all the rage. But this is a trend that does not seem to be going away. Architects, builders and homeowners are trying to reduce their carbon footprint, which shows in the increasing use of environmentally friendly materials. This means that more and  more homeowners are turning to copper gutters as green materials and for aesthetics.

Copper is a perfect choice for gutters. Copper is one of a handful of materials that are considered to be fully sustainable. It is estimated that 55% of all the architectural copper in use is recycled.

Copper gutters have a lifespan of at least 100 years. So copper gutters last as long as your home and look beautiful for all those years too. You won’t need to replace copper gutters. Copper is also a fungicide which makes it maintenance free. So while moss is the main problem with traditional cutters, copper gutters fight moss all on their own.

Are you thinking about price? When comparing price and durability, cast iron, aluminum and PVC gutters can’t beat copper. Based on price, durability, appearance or environmental factors, copper gutters are the clear choice for your new home or your newly remodeled home. Contact Custom Insulation for more information.

Proper Insulation Makes your Home Comfortable While you Save Money

3 April 2012

In your home wall colors, floor coverings and furnishings often change over time. Routine maintenance is also necessary. If your home was built before 1980, when it comes to the comfort and value of your home, insulation plays a key role.

According to the US Department of Energy, only 20% of houses built before 1980 are considered well insulated. In fact, many of these homes have no insulation at all.

Heat is a form of energy - it always seeks a cooler area - flowing outward in winter and inward in summer. By reducing heat flow in a properly insulated home, less energy is used to heat and cool the home.

Insulation works all year long to provide a barrier that slows down the natural transfer of heat. Insulation keeps temperatures consistent in all areas of the house.

When you spend money on things to make your home look better, new siding or new furniture, you know that none of these things will pay you back. Foam Insulation is permanent. It never needs to be done again and you will enjoy the benefits of greater comfort all year long. Plus, you will see savings on your monthly energy bills. Insulation doesn't take long to pay you back.
 
Spray foam insulation is a safe, easy and clean way to insulate your home. In most cases it's injected from the exterior of your home like ‘shaving cream' and hardens after several minutes. It provides a sealed thermal envelope that locks out moisture to prevent mold, mildew and bacteria growth. It contributes to the overall comfort and health of your home.

When you insulate your home correctly, it's one of the lowest cost options for improving both comfort and energy efficiency. On average, newly insulated home thermostats can adjusted between 3-4 degrees (down in the winter, up in the summer) while enjoying a more comfortable and consistent temperature throughout.

According to the DOE, when it comes to maximizing energy efficiency, inadequate insulation is a leading cause of home energy waste because it forces even the most efficient heating and cooling systems to work harder and consume more energy. The savings from improving your home's insulation will add up all year long since the DOE estimates that between 50%-70% of the energy used in an average US home is consumed by heating and cooling systems.

Want more information on spray foam insulation? Contact Custom Insulation Company in Worcester.

NWI Times

Save Money on the Biggest Bill you have with Proper Home Insulation

27 March 2012

If you are a homeowner, you can save hundreds of dollars a year and do your part for the environment by properly insulating your home.

Around 60% of the heat or cooled air from your home can be lost through improperly insulated walls and roofs. Obviously, this adds unnecessary dollars to your energy bills.

Contact Custom Insulation to properly insulate your ceilings, walls or other building cavities and save money all year round on your home energy bills. As energy and gas bills rise, cutting costs wherever possible makes the most sense. Ensuring that your home has the proper insulation can save you money on the largest bill you have.

If your home does not have the proper attic insulation or wall insulation, or if you are not sure about the insulation in your home, contact us.

New Insulation in Your Home in 2011 - Use the Federal Tax Credit

20 March 2012

Don’t forget as you do your taxes that the IRS is offering home owners a Federal Tax Credit for qualified home energy improvements. If you recently added new insulation to your home, you may qualify.

Here are the details of the tax credit for putting new insulation in your home.

The Non-business Energy Property Credit Homeowners who install energy-efficient home improvements may qualify for this credit. The 2011 credit is 10% of the cost of qualified energy-efficient improvements, up to $500. Qualifying improvements include adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and doors and certain roofs. The cost of installing these items does not count. You can also claim a credit including installation costs, for certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and stoves that burn biomass fuel. The credit has a lifetime limit of $500. Qualifying improvements must have been placed into service in the taxpayer’s principal residence located in the US before Jan. 1, 2012.

Get Comfortable with Insulation

13 March 2012

Homeowners spend a lot of time and money making their homes comfortable. But you need to put some of that effort into what's behind the walls, or you’ll miss out on all the comfort and savings.

Proper insulation decreases the heat flow and helps you keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Good insulation can improve indoor air quality, protect your home from winter damage, and save you money.

  • Indoor air quality - Moisture can build up in your walls, causing the interior to slowly rot. Not all insulation can prevent mold, however. Spray foam insulation forms an air barrier, which protects your walls against moisture.          
  • Protection from ice dams in winter - In winter, as warm air from your home comes in contact with the inside edge of your roof, snow melts on that section. As it slowly trickles down, it refreezes, causing ice to build up. Water can then leak into your home, causing damage.
  • Saving money - Air leakage can run up your energy bills significantly. Making sure you close air leaks with weather stripping, caulking and insulation helps reduce your heating and cooling bills. The U.S. Department of Energy says that floors, walls and ceilings account for 31% of the air leakage in most homes.
        
There are a number of different insulation types to choose from. They all have an R-value, and the higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

Spray foam insulation has great long-term benefits.  The others may have a cheaper up-front cost, but in the long run, spray foam protects better, lasts longer, and can reduce your energy bill by up to half as much as with older insulations.

For more information on spray foam insulation for your home, contact Custom Insulation.

Market Watch

With Copper Gutters you Get Distinctive Visual Appeal

6 March 2012

Winter is just about over, and you have started your "spring home repair list". This year, add copper gutters to the list. Copper gutters are really gaining in popularity, and you need a gutter system anyway.

Besides aesthetics, copper gutters are a great home investment. They don’t rust or rot and they need very little maintenance.  Copper gutters are an excellent addition and investment for the exterior of any home and they also add value to your home.

Copper gutters have an exclusive look that will set your home apart from the other homes in Western Massachusetts, but you will be getting a product that lasts longer and is easier to maintain. Add a distinctive style and flare to your house which is different than your standard gutters with copper. This style of visual appeal can only be accomplished with copper gutters. Contact Custom Insulation for more information.

Testimonial to New Insulation

28 February 2012

At Custom Insulation, this is some feedback we received from a customer who purchased a wood burning stove from us, and had their second floor bedroom ceiling insulation replaced.

“I have an antique home, and last winter we got ice dams. During the repair process, I the attic insulation replaced in my bedroom ceiling. The difference in the warmth of my home throughout the winter was very noticeable. I realize that this was a more mild winter, but cold is cold, and you still have to heat your home.

We use our wood burning stove primarily to heat our home, and with increased and better insulation in the second floor ceiling, the oil heat barely ever came on - all winter long.  The upstairs of our home used to be very cold throughout the winter and very hot throughout the summer. I can’t wait to see what happens this summer. I suspect that it will be so much cooler and enjoyable.
 
The difference in my oil heating bill was outrageous, in fact we have not used an entire tank! The difference was so great, that this spring I am going to have the rest of the upstairs and attic insulation replaced.”

Curb Appeal Sets Your Home Apart in the Real Estate Market

20 February 2012

It is not officially spring but it sure feels like it and spring is when home sales really pick up. If you are in the process of putting your home on the market, investing in home improvement projects to give you the upper hand in this volatile housing market where competition is intense.
 
If you are putting your home into the real estate market, you know there is plenty of competition and the prices are very low. With so many choices for potential home buyers, it is important to set your home apart.  What can you do while being confident you will get back your investment in the sale of the home? Copper Gutters.

Every home needs curb appeal. As prospective buyers arrive, the front of your home will make a first impression. It is important to make an effort in your homes outside appearance. Copper gutters are sure to set your home apart.  Copper gutters are a popular choice. More people are choosing copper gutters because they are durable, unique and look beautiful. More importantly, they are very low maintenance.

Imagine when buyers arrive for your open house and see copper gutters, they will love your house before they even step inside. Contact Custom Insulation for information and pricing.

Make your Home More Efficient Through Insulation

14 February 2012

Winter is here and your home may not have enough insulation. Your home is not energy efficient when you have high heating bills and cold, drafty rooms. Proper insulation in the walls and attic increases energy efficiency and can reduce heating bills by as much as 30-50%.

The first step for homeowners who want to reduce their heating bills is to determine if their home is energy efficient, check the insulation. Having adequate ceiling and wall insulation can reduce heating bills by as much as 30 to 50%.

There are external signs that your home lacks the proper insulation, but so far this winter we have not been able to use those guides: icicles, snow melting on your roof, ice in the gutters, and snow melted around the perimeter of your home.

But there are internal indicators as well: cold, drafty rooms; uneven temperatures from room to room; and walls and/or ceilings that feel cold.

Between 50% and 70% of the energy used in an average US home is consumed by heating and cooling systems. When looking to maximize your home's energy efficiency, the US Department of Energy puts inadequate insulation as a leading cause of home energy waste. Contact Custom Insulation for more information on increasing  your home’s insulation.

Pay Less for Heat with Pellet Stoves

8 February 2012

We are certainly having a more mild winter here in the Worcester area this year, but you still need to heat your home. This year, despite the mild temperatures, those with pellet stoves in their homes paid far less for heat than those without.

Pellet stoves have an average efficiency rating of 80- to 85%. A 40-pound bag of pellets produces less than a cup of ashes. This means that people can efficiently and easily use a wood pellet stove for heat without much maintenance other than adding pellets. Additionally, because pellet stoves have higher combustion and heating efficiency than wood stove less air pollution is being produced.
 
Custom Insulation can help you choose among the best wood pellet stoves for your home and there are many models to choose from. With free standing pellet stoves,  in both traditional and contemporary styles you can find a pellet stove to enhance your décor.

Insulation helps keep your house cool in the summer!