Category: baltimore

Four Easy Steps to Better Insulation

Poor insulation occurs so often that residents in newly constructed homes, or those who occupy commercial spaces, pay higher…

Damaged Insulation Replacement in Baltimore, MD
Example of poorly installed insulation.

Poor insulation occurs so often that residents in newly constructed homes, or those who occupy commercial spaces, pay higher than necessary energy bills. Lower bills mean happier customers – why not take the extra steps to ensure your customers are happy?

Here are four easy steps to keep your customers happy and ensure insulation is properly installed the first time:

Damaged Insulation Replacement

Damaged insulation can be a result of something serious like fire or water damage, or something that was never even realized like weather or critter damage. Disrupted insulation is often caused by other subcontractors who may go into the attic to make upgrades or repairs. They move the insulation out of the way (i.e. blown-in fiberglass) and fail to put it back in place, or trample fiberglass which considerably reduces its R-value. Be diligent. If work is done or changes are made to insulated spaces, call your insulation team back to be sure the product is in proper condition.

Proper Installation Techniques

Properly installed insulation is critical to ensure your customer gets the most from their investment. An insulation professional knows how to correctly install insulating products. One product most often improperly installed is fiberglass batts. Many people believe they are qualified to install them, but many batts are misaligned leaving gaps which reduces their effectiveness. Specific problems we see are batts that are torn, patted down, improperly cut to fit around openings/pipes, separated from the surface they are supposed to insulate (attic floor, for instance) or missing altogether. Hire a qualified insulation contractor to be sure your customer is getting the most out of their investment.

Sufficient Insulation Levels

Most commonly seen in renovations or rehabs, many older homes don’t have insulation levels that meet today’s code. Recommended insulation levels for our region are as follows:
Ceilings: R-49
Walls: R-21
Floors: R-30
Basement Walls: R-13
When considering these standards we always recommend paying special attention to not just meeting codes, but also optimizing energy efficiency. Air sealing the building envelope can have a very short payback time through lower energy bills.

Missed Opportunities for Insulation

Similar to insufficient insulation, we run into cases where areas that should have been insulated were neglected or overlooked. Common trouble spots include knee walls, dropped soffits, chimney chases and sealing around attic access doors. Each exposed area is an opportunity for conditioned air to escape. When planning insulation for a new home or other space, be sure to take these areas into consideration.

Have questions about a current or upcoming project? We have the answers. Contact us today.

DeVere Insulation Supports the Franciscan Center

Each holiday season the DeVere Insulation team, managers and founders rally support around a charitable community organization.

The Franciscan Center in Baltimore, MD DeVere Insulation Supports The Franciscan Center DeVere Insulation Supports charitable community

 

Each holiday season the DeVere Insulation team, managers and founders rally support around a charitable community organization. These organizations have included Toys for Tots, a local animal shelter and more. This year our support went to The Franciscan Center.

The Franciscan Center began serving the people of Baltimore in 1891 by feeding the hungry and caring for orphans. Over the years their efforts have grown along with their location. Today they offer a range of care for Baltimore’s homeless and needy including food, clothing, emergency health services, counseling and more.

DeVere Insulation team members and leaders donated dozens of items to The Holiday Giving Tree. The Holiday Giving Tree provides warm clothing, toiletries and other essential items to men, women and children who come to The Franciscan Center for help. DeVere Insulation founders Bob and Carolyn DeVere collected team donations at the company holiday gathering, which were delivered to The Franciscan Center the following day. These donations will serve to support those who rely on The Franciscan Center during the holiday season.

Not only was this event a great experience for the entire DeVere team, company leaders are thrilled that their team commits so fully to helping others. “[It makes us all] so happy to make others happy! That’s what it’s all about!” stated Carolyn DeVere.

For more information about The Franciscan Center visit fcbmore.org.

Honored to Celebrate 30 Years

The DeVere Insulation team is honored to celebrate 30 years of serving builders and homeowners throughout Maryland and the surrounding areas.

30 years of serving Insulation Services in Baltimore, MD

The DeVere Insulation team is honored to celebrate 30 years of serving builders and homeowners throughout Maryland and the surrounding areas.

When we opened our doors in 1987, our goal was to be one of the best insulation contractors in the Baltimore area. Little did we know we would grow to Maryland’s largest independent insulation contractor.  We are proud to provide insulation, air sealing and energy solutions to customers of all sizes — from residential homeowners and builders to large commercial contractors. We are proud to give back to our community through supporting organizations such as Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, Harvest House, and more.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and our community for 30 years. We are grateful and look forward to serving you for the next 30 years.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters and How to Improve It

Did you know that the air inside your home may have the biggest impact on your health? When we think of air quality…

Improve Indoor Air Quality from DeVere Insulation in Baltimore, MD

Did you know that the air inside your home may have the biggest impact on your health? When we think of air quality, we most often think of outdoor air. Indoor air may have an even bigger impact. One estimate indicates the average person receives 72 percent of their chemical exposure at home (via The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/USEPA).

Many things can affect indoor air quality. This can include the materials used in furniture manufacturing, building products in your home, the items you use for home cleaning, and more. Here are some ways you can improve you home’s air quality:

Air sealing – keeping out external pollutants helps maintain your home’s indoor environment. When external pollutants are kept out, your indoor air can be properly tested and maintained. Spray foam insulation effectively seals air leaks and insulates in one step.

Choose low-emitting cleaning products – look for cleaning products, air fresheners, etc. that are made with natural ingredients or are low-emitting products. This will remove/reduce one factor that impacts indoor air quality.

Ventilate your home – After your home is air sealed, having a proper mechanical ventilation system will help remove indoor air pollutants.

Contact our office to learn about how spray foam insulation can help keep out external pollutants, help maintain your home’s indoor air quality, and help reduce your energy bills. We are happy to provide a free estimate.

Why to Air Seal Your New Home Today

It’s the time of year when builders and homeowners are finalizing new home construction and remodeling plans.

Air Seal Top Plates

It’s the time of year when builders and homeowners are finalizing new home construction and remodeling plans. How much of a priority is air sealing and energy efficiency when planning your new home or remodeling project?

Investing in air sealing and other energy efficiency measures has huge payoff for homeowners and builders.

  • Increased comfort. Owning a home is one of the biggest investments an individual can make. With this level of financial commitment, homeowners are keenly aware of “problems” with their home — temperature inconsistencies, mechanical performance, etc. — that can affect comfort or create concerns. Sealing air leaks helps increase comfort inside the home, creating peace of mind for the homeowner and a happier customer for the builder.
  • Improved indoor air quality. When a home is not air sealed, pollutants, moisture and pollen can enter through penetration points in the home’s envelope (points that naturally exist as part of the construction process). Sealing air leaks helps keep pollutants out of the home. This is especially important to homeowners who have asthma or allergy issues, or have a family member who does.
  • Air sealing easiest during construction! While it is possible to seal air leaks in an existing home, it is much easier to seal air leaks during construction when walls and other cavities are open. Why put off air sealing when it can be done today?
  • Increased home value. Studies show energy efficient homes sell at a price premium – as much as 4% above the national average. This means a homeowner benefits at the time of sale from investing in air sealing and other energy upgrades. The builder also benefits from being positioned as a contractor who builds energy efficient homes.
  • Tax credits and financing options. There is financial assistance available for energy efficient investments through tax credits or rebates, and through energy-efficient financing (including an energy efficient mortgage/EEM). Check with your lender for more information.

 

Interested in learning about air sealing your new home or remodeling project? Our team can recommend the right solution for your project. Contact our office today!

Why Air Seal?

Building science and sealing air leaks are newer concepts in the insulation industry. Did you know that sealing air leaks is as important as insulating?

Benefits of Air Sealing from DeVere Insulation in Baltimore

Building science and sealing air leaks are newer concepts in the insulation industry. Did you know that sealing air leaks is as important as insulating?
Here are just some of the benefits of air sealing:

  • eliminate allergies,
  • stop energy loss, 
  • keep your home cool.

How does air sealing work?

Sealing the “envelope” or “shell” of your home — its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors — is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. ENERGY STAR estimates that a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on their total annual energy bill) by sealing and insulating. To Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR:

  • Seal air leaks throughout the home to stop drafts,
  • Add insulation to block heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

Where are air leaks?

Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are easy to feel — like those around windows and doors. But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems. Sealing these leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills.
SOURCE: ENERGYSTAR

Contact us to learn about the benefits of air sealing, or call us: 410-317-4342.

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.