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Home Blown-in Insulation & Gutter Solutions
23 January 2013
Preventing Ice Dams
Keep your attic well ventilated. Cold attics prevent ice accumulation on the roof from melting, resulting in refreezing. This is done by having the right amount of attic insulation.
Keep the attic floor well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through hte attic from within the house.
Install ice dam prevention underlayment as part of your roofing system.
Install new or additional insulation in order to prevent heat loss.
Remove ice and snow from roofs with a snow rake.
Preventing Winter Freeze Ups
During winter months, do not turn the thermostat off when leaving your house. Instead, lower the thermostat to a temperature warm enough to keep pipes from freezing, no lower than 55 degrees.
Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer. Check water hoses for signs of cracks or bubbles. Replace faulty hoses.
Consider installing an electronic leak detection system. When water touches the sensor, the valve closes, protecting everything downstream. Some systems can also alert remote securty monitoring services.
Forced hot water systems should have an appropriate antifreeze mixture.
On very cold days, open cabinet doors under sinks, allowing warm air to circulate around the pipes. Let a slow trickle of water to continually flow from faucets to prevent freezing.
Exterior faucets should be shut off for the winter. Hoses should be disconnected and the valve left open.
For more information on better insulating your home, contact Custom Insulation.
Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association
15 January 2013
Does spray foam insulation release any Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)?
Polyurethane foam is not considered to emit VOC's. After curing there should be no emissions. To be sure, check with your foam supplier.
Can it be used to insulate underground water pipes?
Yes! Regional climate changes will be a part of the decision making process. During application, no moisture can be allowed on or in the foam until it has cured.
Should fiberglass insulation be removed before applying spray foam insulation?
Yes! If left in, there will be a problem with ventilation and temperature control. More clearly, the temperature of the attic floor will be different than amidst the fiberglass and the temperature amidst the fiberglass will be different than above the spray foam. The job of the spray foam is to balance temperature and humidity with the environment so condensation is prevented.
Does the surface where it will be applied have to be clean?
Yes! Any oil or dust on the application surface will prevent the spray foam insulation from adhering. A careful vacuuming job covering every nook and cranny will often be adequate.
For applications where the surface is steel (or any other metal) it is even more important for the surface to be free of dust and oil.
Does an attic need to be vented if spray foam insulation on the rafters?
That depends. If you are applying the spray foam to the roof deck and gable walls, then you want everything under that surface to be a part of the temperature conditioned space. Vents in an attic with insulation above it would be a waste of money. If you are applying spray foam to just the attic floor, then the conditioned space is below the attic floor. Vents will be necessary for preventing excess humidity.
There are likely many more questions concerning spray foam insulation. For more insulation contact Custom Insulation.
Ezine Articles
12 January 2013
Now that winter is in full swing, you may be tired of paying high energy bills. By installing additional attic insulation you can keep winter heating bills and summer cooling bills down.
Generally, the recommendations for insulation are:
Attic ---------------------------R 38
Wall ---------------------------R 13
Floor --------------------------R 25, Over Unheated Space
Crawl Space Wall -----------R 25
Basement Wall Interior -----R 11
These insulation levels balance the cost of insulating and the return in energy savings.
There are two types of additional insulation that can be installed in your attic: fiberglass batts (blanket insulation) or blown-in insulation, either cellulose or fiberglass.
Blanket insulation or batts gives you a slightly better R value per inch.
Remember the better you home is insulated, the lower your heating bills. Adding insulation will pay for itself through energy savings.
For more information, contact Custom Insulation.
27 December 2012
With many professionals forecasting this winter to be colder than last year, homeowners are going to be feeling it when the time comes to pay the utility bills.
When the temperature drops outside, many homeowners rush to increase the temperature inside, which can push energy bills way up. But there are steps you can take that can help you stay warm and toasty during the cold winter months without raising your heating costs.
“There’s a lot of little things you can do to increase the heating efficiency,” says home improvement expert Bob Vila. He has some expert tips to keep your heating bills low and your home warm and safe.
But, his Heating Tip No.3 is to Insulate the Attic
Adding insulation is a project that can save money by preventing warm air from escaping, according to Vila. Experts recommend having at least 12 inches of insulation in your attic.
Blanket insulation without paper is the best money you can spend—you’ll get your money back pretty quick, adds Lipford. “During the summer, it keeps hot air from influencing the cold air and in the winter, prevents hot air from escaping.”
For information on improving your home’s insulation, contact Custom Insulation.
Fox Business
18 December 2012
We have had a lot of rain and ice in the last few days, and it makes us think of ice dams. Ice dams can be prevented if you control heat loss in your home.
Proper attic insulation can stop ice dams and prevent damage to your roof, while lowering your home heating bills as well. Most people don’t equate poor insulation with ice dams. But ice dams result from snow melting on your roof and then that melted snow freezes. The snow melts as a result of heat loss, heat loss occurs from poor insulation.
It is important to understand that you don’t need lots of snow for ice dams to form. Ice dams can form with just 1 or 2 inches, if the roof is poorly insulated, and the snow is followed by days of freezing temperatures.
There is an easy solution, add more or better insulation to your home to prevent heat loss. Better attic insulation stops the flow of heat from your house.
Contact Custom Insulation for information on improving attic insulation.
14 December 2012
If you own an older home, you are probably looking for ways to reduce your heating costs. Adding insulation to your home helps you save money right now. It is also a great way to protect against energy cost increases in the future. As well, a well-insulated energy-efficient home reduces the need for cooling in the warm months. A well-insulated energy-efficient home also reduces the need for cooling in the warm months.
By far the best time to upgrade your home's insulation is when you are doing other renovation work. If you want to replace the siding of your home, it makes more economic sense to indulate while you are upgrading the siding. Fortunately, there are many different options to achieve different levels of energy performance in typical older homes by adding attic insulation, and adding insulation to the walls and foundation and reducing air leakage.
For more information on adding insulation to your home, contact Custom Insulation.
Melodika.net
4 December 2012
What are some eco-friendly options for insulating an unheated room of my home?
Enclosing a rarely used 3 season room is a great way to add year-round useable square footage to your home. Adding insulation lets you comfortably connect the room to the rest of your home. Foam installation is an effective solution because it's fire-resistant and provides a strong temperature barrier in tight spaces.
Knauf EcoBatt® Insulation doesn’t look like any insulation you’ve ever seen, but that’s because its natural brown color represents a level of sustainability we've never before achieved. EcoBatt Insulation combines sand, post-consumer recycled bottle glass and ECOSE Technology to create the next generation of sustainable insulation.
Another eco-friendly insulation option is cellulose insulation, which is a plant fiber that is typically made from recycled newspapers and contains 855 recycled content. Cellulose spray is considered one of the most environmentally-friendly insulation products available, and it effectively seals against air infiltration and blocks water vapor while containing no formaldehyde, asbestos, mineral fiber, or fiber glass. Cellulose also takes 10 times less energy to produce than fiberglass and does not support mold or fungus growth.
Eco-friendly insulation allows you to rest assured knowing your home is performing at its peak efficiency while becoming a healthier dwelling for you and your family. Consider all environmental aspects of foam and cellulose before investing in insulation.
For more information on eco-friendly insulation options, contact Custom Insulation.
Daily Camera
27 November 2012
It is snowing in Worcester today, and winter is right around the corner. Are you looking for a few ways to save on winter heating bills? Here are a few suggestions from Custom Insulation.
Proper insulation - This is probably the most important way to keep you home warm this winter. Make sure you have proper insulation in both your attic and between the inside walls. Heat losses can add close to 30 percent to your energy bill too.
Fireplaces and pellet stoves - This is a great source of heat and can warm a room quickly. But, a fireplace damper left open when not in use can let warm air escape and cold air to come in. Close after each use and more importantly, open before using your fireplace.
Energy audits - Your electric company will help you determine a pattern of usage to help you find ways of improving how you use energy.
Air leaks - Drafty windows, doors, and attics will allow air to come in and heat to sneak out. Check the weather stripping around your windows and doors and replace if worn. Next check any unfinished attic space. By sealing air leaks, you can see about 30 percent in energy savings.
todaysthv.com
20 November 2012
Now that Thanksgiving is here, there is no denying that it is winter. It is time to consider a better way to heat your Worcester home.
Every homeowner loves a roaring fire in the fireplace. But there is a better, easier, more efficient way to have that fire. With pellet stoves. Wood fires are great, but the hassle of stacking fire wood, lighting a fire, and keeping it stoked is too much after a long day of work. A pellet stove is effective and practical and easy. It is the perfect substitute for an open fire and the right way to cut down on your heating bills.
Pellet stoves are as stylish as wood burning stoves but they far more efficient and much easier to use.
Interested in a pellet stove for your home? Contact Custom Insulation.
13 November 2012
We may have had some warm weather over the weekend, but now winter is here to stay, which means it’s time to prepare your home for the cold. It may cost some time and money, but winterizing will be worth it in the long run.
If you can keep the heat in your house, it’s going to keep the money in your pocket.
According to the Department of Energy, winterizing can save homeowners as much as 25% on heating costs. In Worcester, it costs quite a bit to heat a house all winter, so 25% can really add up. Ensuring your home has the proper insulation is well worth the time and money.
Checking attic and crawl spaces for adequate insulation is key. Most heat loss results from heat leaving your home out of the attic and roof.
For help insulating your home, contact Custom Insulation.
Excerpts WHOTV
16 Jacques Street - Rear
Worcester, MA 01603
Phone: 508-755-2315
Fax: 508-756-1941
E-mail: info@custominsulation.com
