Category: new construction

Better Insulation, Better Health: The Health Perks of a Well-Insulated Maryland Home

When constructing a new home in Maryland, the significance of properly insulating your home cannot be overstated. Beyond the usual focus…

Close up of faceless builders with clipboard and blueprint.When constructing a new home in Maryland, the significance of properly insulating your home cannot be overstated. Beyond the usual focus on energy efficiency, a well-insulated and air sealed home home contributes significantly to the health and wellness of your family. In this blog post, we explore the various ways in which quality insulation and air sealing go beyond energy savings and directly impact your family’s well-being.

Improved Indoor Air Quality Brings a Breath of Fresh Air

Proper insulation, combined with air sealing, serves as a formidable barrier against external elements, blocking the entry of pollen, mold spores, and other allergens through your ceilings, walls, and floors. This is great news for you and your loved ones with breathing problems because this not only reduces asthma and allergy triggers but also leads to less wheezing, sneezing, and respiratory distress. Also, by preventing moisture buildup and inhibiting mold and mildew growth, insulation and air sealing protect your friends and family with respiratory issues like COPD or emphysema from particles that can aggravate lung diseases.

For the best indoor air quality, consider using spray foam insulation, the only type of insulation to both insulate and air seal in one step. Choosing to install proper insulation and seal air leaks in your new home not only improves your indoor air quality but provides reassurance that you and your loved ones will breathe easier.

Greater Temperature Regulation Creates a Cozier Home

Cozy woman drinking from a warm mug while enjoying a winter sunrise from indoors.Insulated walls act as efficient thermal barriers, preventing harsh outdoor temperatures from penetrating your indoor living spaces and provide you with a comfortable haven throughout the year. This is particularly crucial in Maryland, where our frigid winters and hot, humid summers are the norm. Regulated indoor temperatures are a huge boon for your loved ones more vulnerable to extreme temperature fluctuations, such as babies, small children, and the elderly. Insulation shields them from the extreme cold and heat that can strain their cardiovascular and immune systems.

Plus, with less energy lost, there is lower energy output required for your heating and cooling systems to maintain a cozy environment. This means with less stress on your HVAC system, there will be less stress on your wallet, thanks to lower energy bills.

Less Noise Pollution Provides Peace of Mind

In addition to temperature regulation, insulation also plays a significant role in reducing noise pollution. Insulation batts and dense-packed loose insulation absorb vibrations, creating a peaceful indoor environment free from the disturbances of loud traffic, construction work, or noisy neighbors. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? This not only enhances your quality of life but also alleviates sources of stress that can disrupt your sleep patterns and cognitive functioning. We can all appreciate a good night’s sleep! Fiberglass batts, mineral wool, and spray foam are excellent insulation choices for reducing the sound pollution in your new home.

Added Protection from Toxins to Keep Your Family Safe

Quality insulation, along with air sealing, goes beyond temperature and noise control; they actively seal cracks and crevices, preventing vehicle fumes and industrial emissions from leaking inside your new home. They also reduce the chances of dust or contaminated soil gases from entering your living spaces. By limiting exposure to volatile organic compounds from outdoor furnishings, insulation becomes a shield against outdoor toxins, further contributing to the improved indoor air quality of your new home.

Enjoy a Comfortable and Healthy Home with Proper Insulation

Open wall cavities showing freshly installed fiberglass insulation.It’s clear the benefits of proper home insulation and air sealing extend far beyond regulating heating and cooling. They directly translate into cleaner indoor air, more stable temperatures, less noise disturbances, and a shield against outdoor toxins. Investing in quality insulation is an investment in your family’s comfort and well-being within the confines of your attractive new Maryland home.

As you embark on building your dream home, consider the long-term impact of proper insulation – not just on your energy bills but on the health and happiness of your loved ones. Don’t let poor insulation dampen the joys of your new home. Choose the right type of insulation, ensure proper air sealing, and relish in the countless advantages that extend far beyond an energy efficient living space. At DeVere Insulation we focus on expert insulation services for new homes built in the Baltimore area while our Home Performance division offers additional insulation services for existing homes. Contact us today to get started on creating an energy efficient home to be proud of.

Why New Home Builders Should Upgrade Basement Insulation

Basements are an important area of the home that is often overlooked for insulation, including basement box sills and rim joists.

Basement Insulation Services in Baltimore, MD

When insulating a new home, builders think first about attic insulation and wall insulation. Basements are an important area of the home that is often overlooked for insulation, including basement box sills and rim joists.

Basement box sills and rim joists are a significant source of energy loss. These areas are some of the thinnest points in a home’s exterior and allow outside air to easily leak into the basement. This makes the basement unnecessarily cold and can impact the temperature of the floors in the home’s main level.

Not only can unconditioned outside air enter the home around the basement perimeter, but it is also a convenient entrance point for pests. Spiders, bugs, and other creatures can easily find their way into a home through penetrations around HVAC, electrical, and plumbing access points around the basement.

When recommending insulation for basement box sills and rim joists, spray foam is at the top of the list. Spray foam adds R-value and seals air leaks to keep out outside air and pests. It also helps keep additional moisture out of the basement, an area already prone to damp conditions.

Insulating and air sealing basement rim joists and box sills will keep your clients and their entire home more comfortable. Ask your DeVere Insulation representative about spray foam insulation for basement box sills for your next new home construction project.

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!