Category: attic insulation

How to Install Insulation in an Attic

Attic insulation is a critical part of maintaining a comfortable home and keeping your energy bills low. There is a lot to know about…

Attic insulation Services in Baltimore, MD

Attic insulation is a critical part of maintaining a comfortable home and keeping your energy bills low. There is a lot to know about how to install attic insulation. Effective attic insulation requires proper installation techniques. If attic insulation is not correctly installed your comfort and your energy bills may both take a hit.

Before installing attic insulation be sure your attic has proper ventilation. Proper ventilation helps maintain the right moisture levels to reduce the chance of mold. Attic ventilation systems also help your attic insulation work efficiently.

Loose-fill insulation (also called blown-in insulation) is most often installed in open attics. Blown-in insulation can easily and quickly create an even and complete thermal blanket to reduce heat transfer. Loose-fill insulation can also be installed to fit into small corners in the attic space or over existing attic insulation to make longstanding homes more efficient and comfortable.

To further increase the energy efficiency of your attic space, air leaks should be sealed before installing insulation. Air sealing closes off any significant penetration points to stop air transfer. This is an additional energy-saving step that can help keep energy bills low.

Installing spray foam insulation in an attic adds R-value and seals air leaks. Spray foam in an attic is installed along the roofline. This installation method seals the very top of a home and helps the attic maintain a consistent temperature. Spray foam insulation can only be installed by a qualified insulation contractor.

To install insulation in an attic, contact an experienced insulation company. This will help ensure your attic is properly ventilated and achieves the best R-value. Contact our office to discuss insulation for your home or business.

Five Steps to Save Money and Energy

As cool fall temperatures move in and winter isn’t far behind, energy efficiency becomes top of mind for many homeowners.

Fall Projects

Energy efficiency is important year round. As cool fall temperatures move in and winter isn’t far behind, energy efficiency becomes top of mind for many homeowners. Here are a few steps to take to make your home more comfortable and more energy efficient this year:

  • Upgrade Your Insulation
    When temperatures drop outside, you can stay warm and keep your energy bills low with proper insulation. Attics are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to winter energy loss, so prep yours for winter by upgrading your insulation now. And don’t forget about air sealing your attic, too!
  • Air Seal
    Air sealing around windows and door frames can help prevent heat from escaping. Sealing these openings is one of the least expensive maintenance jobs you can do — and it’s an easy DIY project! Air sealing your attic is an important energy upgrade — we can help by air sealing and upgrading your insulation at the same time.
  • Inspect Your Roof
    Make sure the roof is in good shape. Inspect for missing and loose shingles. Look for trouble spots now instead of in a few months when ice, rain, snow, and wind create even more problems.
  • Reverse Your Ceiling Fan
    This is so easy — and so many homeowners forget to do this! Changing the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft redistributes warm air from the ceiling back down into your living area. Before you do this, dust the blades.

 

These few steps can help your energy bills and make your home more comfortable. Ready go get started? We can help. Contact today for a free insulation estimate.

Why You Should Hire a Certified Energy Expert

Looking for a partner with extensive training in insulation and air sealing backed by one of the leaders in the insulation industry? Look no further!

Certified Energy Experts in Baltimore, MD

Looking for a partner with extensive training in insulation and air sealing backed by one of the leaders in the insulation industry? Look no further!

DeVere Insulation is proud to be an Owens Corning Certified Energy Expert. The Certified Energy Expert distinction is extended to a very select group of insulation companies. As a contractor, hiring a Certified Energy Expert ensures you are receiving the best technical knowledge, service and warranty available in the industry.

Why choose a Certified Energy Expert to insulate your next construction project?

Certified Energy Expert Logo

As Certified Energy Experts, our team has completed rigorous training in a key areas including

  • building science
  • thermal performance
  • moisture prevention
  • air infiltration
  • ventilation

Certified Energy Experts are chosen in part due to their solid reputation as a reliable and trustworthy company. This includes high customer ratings of office operations and field workmanship.

Want to learn more about the Certified Energy Expert warranty and get a quote on your project? Click here to contact us.

The “V” Factor

Ventilation is becoming an important topic in the world of energy efficient homebuilding.

What You Need to Know About Ventilation in New Construction

Ceiling Air Vent

Ventilation is becoming an important topic in the world of energy efficient homebuilding (sometimes referred to as the “V” Factor). With the increase in green building and the tighter building envelopes that result, a new problem has emerged for builders. New buildings that are increasingly airtight can have poor indoor air quality.

Why the increase in air quality problems?

Older homes weren’t built as tightly as today’s standards and were ventilated by the wind or natural air leakage. Let’s not forget that some older homes had no insulation or insulation made of natural materials. These older products did not include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), flame retardants or other additives commonly found in building products today, so ventilation wasn’t as much of an issue.

Today roughly 25 million Americans suffer from asthma. The idea of an “airtight” house — which might be energy efficient — may not provide proper ventilation ensure their health.

Today’s tight building envelopes require controlled mechanical ventilation to maintain optimal air quality. And it’s a part of energy efficiency that can be overlooked.

Which type of ventilation is best? There are a number of factors that ultimately influence which system is most appropriate. These include code requirements, the size of the building, combustion appliance type, and budget. Four common ventilation system options are especially suited to energy efficient homebuilding:

  • Exhaust Only — This common method uses a small exhaust fan placed in a kitchen or bathroom, which runs continuously or intermittently to exhaust stale air and moisture. These systems are inexpensive and easy to install.
  • Supply Only — In supply only ventilation systems, a fan brings in fresh air and stale air escapes through cracks and air-leakage sites in the home. These systems can include a filter to trap pollen and dust or a dehumidifier to control indoor humidity levels.
  • Balanced — A balanced system provides a much better ventilation solution because it includes separate fans that drive both inlet and exhaust air flow, which allows control of where the fresh air comes from and where it is delivered. Typical systems are designed to ventilate living rooms and bedrooms where people spend most of their time.
  • Balanced with Heat Recovery — These systems co-locate the usually separate fresh air and exhaust fans and an air-to-air heat exchanger so that the outgoing house air will precondition the incoming outdoor air. This system is ideal for colder climates.

Have questions about the proper ventilation system for your home or commercial building? Contact us today.