Check Thermal Transmittance

Thermal transmittance is a measure of how quickly heat can transfer from a set location to another at a specific time. It also measures the extent to which temperature drops while the heat is transferring to said location. You’ve probably heard your insulation contractor refer to it as U-Value. The critical thing to understand here is that better insulation materials have lower thermal transmittance. Be sure to ask your contractor if the type of insulation material you are using has a lower U-Value. For instance, if your house is in a colder region, you will need Insulation with a U-Value of 0.14 to 0.19. It is perfect for keeping your home warm. On the other hand, if you happen to live in hotter climates, then the optimal U-Value can be between 0.17 and 0.39. The reason colder regions need lower thermal transmittance is because of the incredible difference in temperature. Houses are trying to maintain a 21°C compared to an outside temperature as low as -40°C. But unlike the winter, summers have much less of a temperature difference to worry about. However, they still benefit from thicker Insulation because it helps keep cooling inside the house. A lower U-Value means that less cold air leaves the area. This means you will have to use your AC less often.

Make sure the Insulation has the right Air Tightness.

It is essential for Insulation to exist in a vacuum or at least sealed away from air both inside and out. This vacuum ensures the material’s durability and longevity. If you have ever seen contractors install attic insulation or blow-in Insulation, you might have noticed the pains they go through to ensure an airtight fit. If the Insulation is not airtight, there is a higher chance of the heating or cooling penetrating through the walls. Even though it might not sound very bad, air flowing through the Insulation can lead to more serious problems. More specifically, it can lead to moisture in the Insulation.

Using High-Performance Insulation

Choosing the right type of Insulation eventually comes down to a number of things, and high performance is certainly one of them. It is not enough that you choose the best type of Insulation for your home, but it should also be of the highest quality. The Insulation should also be efficient and take up less space. Houses do not have much space to work with and usually have to use it very efficiently. So Insulation that is able to trap more heat by taking up less space is what you should be looking for. You can find these types of Insulation and much more at Conejo Valley Home Services.

Make Sure it is Easy to Install

Installation is obviously a major concern with regards to Insulation, as it makes up the bulk of your costs. And depending on the type of Insulation you buy, your installation costs can differ significantly. For example, blown-in Insulation can cost you somewhere between $1 and $2 per square foot. On the other hand, batting foam can cost you between $0.30 and $1.50 per square foot. While the price certainly does change depending on the material that you are getting, it can also change according to your contractor. For instance, the company working on your insulation installation may charge extra for their services.

Controlling the Unavoidable Moisture

As we mentioned earlier, moisture is a very serious concern when it comes to installing installation. And one of the primary ways that moisture is able to reach Insulation is from contaminated air. More specifically, this contaminated air permeates through the walls. Unfortunately, moisture will eventually seep inside Insulation and deteriorate it. Even if you were to insulate your home completely, it is not something that you can stop. Instead, the best that you can do is reduce the chances of moisture reaching your Insulation. The first to do is ensure air doesn’t pass through the walls. Therefore, by making the walls airtight and windtight, air will not go through the Insulation. The worst air to react with the Insulation is the air from the inside, which makes a proper ventilation system very important. If you want more information on how you can control moisture in your Insulation, feel free to contact Conejo Valley Home Services. Our experts can guide you through the process of how to properly maintain your Insulation and what to do if mold grows in it.

Acoustics

Insulation materials can do a lot more than just keep a room hot and cold. In fact, it can help dampen sound throughout your house and make it harder for voices to go out. This theory also applies in reverse, as very few sounds can go through Insulation. The main reason Insulation is able to stop sounds from going in or out is because of mass. The more mass present throughout a certain space, the more effectively it cancels out the noise. More importantly, you will need to dampen out the sound by adding different types of Insulation. Each type affects sound differently, so you’ll need to get other types of Insulation if you want less sound to pass through the walls.

Where you should best insulate your home

There are specific areas of your home that are better for Insulation compared to others.

» The Attic Floor

If you do not plan on using your attic as often, insulating the floor can help regulate the temperature throughout your home. It is also significantly cheaper than an HVAC system.

» The Exterior Walls

If you live in a colder region, insulating the outside walls can keep the heat in and the cold out.

» The Garage’s Ceiling

The garage is not necessarily where most homeowners install Insulation. But if there are living quarters above it, then insulating the ceiling can prove to be quite comfortable.

» The Foundation of the House

This is only possible if you are constructing a home from scratch. Insulating the foundation keeps radon infiltration and moisture problems at bay.

Let’s talk about R-Value.

Of course, this is the most important thing to consider when choosing your insulation material. Your insulation contractor might show you plenty of different materials that are resistant to heat or cold. They will measure the resistance of a specific material in its R-Value, which is the opposite of the U-Value for thermal transmittance. While the value for thermal transmittance is always supposed to be very low, the resistance is supposed to be high. The higher the resistance, the better it is at trapping heating or cooling in a specific area, therefore maintaining a specific temperature.

Get To Know the Types of Attic Insulation

There are two major types of attic insulation:

» Batt Insulation

Batt insulation is when a contractor fits precut panels that will fit in between the house’s premade frame. Each panel comes with a different R-Value and in different sizes depending on your home. Some might even come with a paper or foil cover to prevent moisture buildup.

» Loose Fill or Blown Insulation

Unlike Batt insulation that uses precut panels, loose-fill uses a machine to spray out the insulation material, allowing an even surface. It creates air pockets thanks to the millions of insulation pieces that the machine sprays out. It is more resistant while taking up less space altogether.

» Batts or Blown?

Batt happens to be easily accessible, versatile, and very easy to service. Unlike blown Insulation, it does not take very long to install, as they simply have to add the right panel to the right frame. And if something happens in the future, you can easily ask for a replacement.

Choose the right insulation material.

» Cellulose

Cellulose happens to be the most popular and oldest insulation material that you can find. Manufacturers create it using old newspapers and treat it with ammonium sulfate to ensure excellent fire resistance. However, it is worth mentioning that the cellulose can be messy to install, as it can leave behind residue. This residue can cause problems later. Conejo Valley Home Services is very careful when installing cellulose. They check for any residue to ensure that you are getting top-quality cellulose for Insulation.

» Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a step above cellulose insulation on almost every level. It is versatile enough to be in the form of a batt or blown Insulation while still providing top-tier resistance. It is very safe to install and does not leave behind residue. The best part is that, unless it grows mold or air passes through it, it will retain its thermal properties for a long time.

Insulation Installation Tips

• Always contact a professional to help you replace or remove your Insulation.
• Mineral wool and fiberglass can give you a significant rash if you are not careful. If you happen to touch it, keep your hands off your face.
• Wear protective gear when you are about to come into contact with insulation materials. They will most likely be in the attic of your Home.
• Adding new Insulation to an old layer will not solve the problem but will only slow it down. Be sure to first remove the old layer before applying a new one.

Budget Concerns

Attic Insulation, while definitely essential, is not necessarily cheap. In fact, when trying to replace or add Insulation, it is very easy to overspend when trying to get the job done. You might be thinking of getting the spray foam insulation in your house, but it might be very expensive. You do have the option of fiberglass, as it comes in both blow and batt insulation types. It is also the most long-lasting Insulation you can find, as long as it does not grow any mold. It does have a reasonable price, but the added installation fees can make it more expensive.

Insulating the Attic Can Save You Money

Although it is certainly not cheap to add Insulation to your house, it can be quite beneficial in the long run. In fact, you can easily find that by insulating the attic alone, you will be able to save on your energy bills. Since the heating or cooling inside your home is not going anywhere, you do not have to keep your appliance running. After a little, you can still feel the appliance’s intended effect.

Conejo Valley Home Services is your Right Insulation Contractor

If you are looking for an insulation contractor to help you with your home, reach out to Conejo Valley Home Services. We specialize in fiberglass batt and blown-in Insulation, as well as cellulose insulation. Our team of experts will give you an exact estimation of the job necessary and will do so quickly. So if you live near Conejo Valley, allow us to take care of your insulation issues.