Essentials of Home Insulation

Every home owner who wants to reduce their energy bills also wants to improve their home insulation. This just goes hand in hand. However, before you start upgrading the insulation you need to have an energy audit completed. A home energy audit in Amarillo, TX will reveal the areas which you need to prioritize when improving the insulation of your home. An experienced home insulation contractor will examine your home and suggest the improvements that will lead to maximum conservation of energy in your home. This will give you more bang for your buck.

Signs of Poor Insulation

If your energy bills are high then you need to examine your home for:

Drafts

Cold floors

Peeling paint

Cracked Walls

The energy audit will tell you which areas to focus on first when installing home insulation.

Air Sealing

Many homes lose heated or cooled air because of the numerous air leaks. Air enters and leaves your home from poorly fitted doors and window joists, the attic, basement, crawl spaces, holes meant to provide access to wires and pipes and so on. When you retain a contractor to air seal your Amarillo, TX home, they will first locate the air leaks using the blower door test. Once the air leaks have been identified, the contractor will use spray foam insulation to air seal your home effectively. Sometimes, the contractor will recommend that windows and doors be replaced to ensure that your home is completely air sealed.

Insulation Material

Depending on the specific needs, the home insulation company will use:

Spray foam insulation

Rigid foam insulation

Radiant barriers

Spray foam insulation fills all available space and provides air sealing as well. It is, however, more expensive. It is waterproof and there is a lower chance of insufficient filling. With other forms of insulation, sometimes the installers inadvertently leave empty spaces that reduce the insulating effects. This is unlikely when spray foam is used. However, the technician applying spray foam needs to be experienced as the temperature needs to be maintained during application. Also incorrectly applied spray foam can jam doors and windows.

Rigid foam insulation is more affordable and less messy to install. It comes in different thickness and can be cut to fit various spaces. It is safer to handle and can be installed easily in crawl spaces and basement walls.

Radiant barriers are reflective insulators that can be installed in the attic to keep the heat out. By ensuring that heat does not enter your home, you will be able to significantly reduce your cooling costs. This project will not only increase the value of your home but pay for itself as the seasons blend into one another.

Selecting a Contractor

Once you have decided to enhance the insulation of your home you need to pick a home insulation contractor. Ask if the contractor can supply references and has technicians trained to install the type of insulation you choose. Additionally, while the contractor can charge for an energy audit, they should check for air leaks and offer a free estimate for air sealing work. By ensuring that your contractor has certification to provide an energy audit you will be able to qualify for federal rebates after the insulation upgrade and if they do not offer a free estimate, just think about their time and fuel costs.

James Dillon - About Author:
Dr. Energy Saver Amarillo is a home insulation company in Amarillo. They provide energy audits in Borger, Dumas, Stinnett, Booker, Gruver, Panhandle, Wheeler, Happy, Friona, and all surrounding areas!

Article Source:
http://www.articleside.com/home-improvement-articles/essentials-of-home-insulation.htm

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