Redmond Insulation

​Tips to Fight Moisture
 
Because the attic is positioned at the top of the house, dividing the roof from the rest of the house, controlling the natural drying of your property must begin there. To avoid water damage caused by ceilings and flooring, common attic appliances, insulation, vents, and recessed light canisters, read the following guidelines.
 
Every few months, conduct a comprehensive inspection to ensure that your attic is in good working order.
 
The Floor and the Ceiling
 
When investigating the attic, make sure to look both up and down. Particular care should be paid to roof openings such as pipes, vents, and the chimney. Examine the area to ensure that all surfaces are dry and free of mold or decay. Also inspect the roof sheathing and rafters at the bottom. It is best to inspect the roof first thing in the morning to ensure that it is properly sealed and that no daylight enters through roof fractures. Make sure the floor is dry by inspecting it.
 
Canisters for Recessed Lighting
 
Rust and corrosion signal the possibility of moisture intrusion and an electrical danger. Stains above or near the wood, or on the insulation around the canisters, are further signs of possible water damage. Replace old recessed light canisters with newer, safer canisters with built-in insulation.
 
Vents
 
The importance of attic ventilation cannot be overstated. Vents are commonly positioned near the roof's top. Moisture or discoloration near vents is a warning that the moisture source has to be found and fixed. Remove any bird nests or debris that is blocking the vents when inspecting the roof.
 
Insulation
 
The insulation becomes thin and flat when it is affected by moisture and water. Check the insulation on a regular basis, particularly after the rainy season. Feel it. If it seems damp, locate the source of moisture and address the issue as soon as possible. Remember that wet insulation is ineffective, but it will hold water for a long time and cause excessive moisture levels. If the insulation is moist, it should be replaced.
 
Appliances Found in the Attic
 
Check attic air conditioners, swamp coolers, and HVAC systems on a regular basis. Look for signs of wear and strain, as well as loose connections. Examine the area around and beneath these appliances. Keep in mind that malfunctioning appliances can result in water damage to everything underneath.

​Insulation = Cost Savings
 
What are the benefits of efficient home insulation in terms of energy savings?
 
Keeping your home at a comfortable temperature consumes over half of your electric cost. As a result, the greatest place to start if you want to save money on your electric bills is with your home's insulation system.
 
Insulation is necessary to reduce or eliminate heat transfer/loss within your home. In the winter, good insulation keeps the interior warm, and in the summer, it keeps the interior cool. Your heating and cooling systems will be able to perform as efficiently as possible if your home is well-insulated. Insulation might help you save up to 10% on your monthly electric cost.
 
Meanwhile, air will move through your house if it has leaks or poor insulation, and heat exchange will occur in regions where insulation is insufficient. As a result, heat is lost. Furthermore, because a house with leaks and insufficient insulation takes more energy to maintain its temperature, energy consumption would almost certainly rise.
 
What is the best place to insulate?
 
Switches, electrical outlets, plumbing fixtures, walls, windows, doors, ceilings, floors, basements, crawl spaces, and attics should all be insulated adequately.
 
Advice on Insulation
 
When choosing the R-values of the insulation materials, keep in mind issues like building design, budget, and climate. Use insulating materials with the appropriate R-values for different portions of the house.
 
Consider the attic, flooring, kitchen, bathroom, windows, walls, door, and other areas of your home where heat loss is more likely to occur. To successfully control the temperature, use the needed insulation materials on these parts.
 
Sunk-lights can be a cause of heat loss, therefore be cautious about how close the insulation is placed next to these fixtures. For more information, consult your local building codes.
 
Check for construction materials that give both structural strength and adequate insulation while building a home.
 
When putting the insulation, follow the manufacturer's instructions. The best source of information on how to get the most out of your products is the product instructions.
 
Additional Energy-Saving Ideas
 
Reduce the amount of light you use. Some lights emit heat, which influences the house's temperature.
 
To receive an accurate temperature measurement for optimal heat management, keep your temperature sensor away from hot items like the stove, oven, lights, and other equipment that create heat.
 
Turn off your heating or cooling system if the outside temperature is comfortable warm or chilly. Open the drapes on your south-facing windows throughout the summer to let natural light into your home. Close it at night to keep the cool breezes out. Keep the draperies and blinds closed during the winter to assist decrease heat loss.
 
Purchase energy-efficient goods to assist reduce heat loss and power use. Find a reliable contractor and ask for recommendations on what type of heating and cooling equipment to purchase.
 
In the winter, set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting; in the summer, set it to the highest comfortable setting.
 
Reduce the use of heat-generating appliances to save money on your power bill and the use of your cooling system.
 
A well-insulated house is similar to a refrigerator that is well-sealed. Less heat loss equals less power consumption; higher heat loss equals the motor working harder to maintain the correct interior temperature, resulting in more energy consumption.
 
Saving energy equates to cost savings. Make a habit of checking your home for leaks and holes on a regular basis and replacing or repairing leaky elements as soon as you notice them.

​Benefits of Insulating Your Floors

If you don't live alone, you're probably aware that the noise made in one room by one family member can be heard throughout the house. Hearing noisy stereo systems, the washing machine and dryer, or children who refuse to go to bed seeping through your flooring and into the rooms below is much worse. Overflowing noise in your home can be remedied, and one of the best ways to do so is with floor sound insulation.

What Is the Best Place to Install Floor Insulation?

It may appear self-evident that floor insulation should be applied. Isn't it evident that this isn't rocket science? There's a little more to it than that, though. The best time to install floor insulation is during the building process. You have the option of using the same fiberglass insulation that has been used on your exterior walls, ceilings, and attic. Cork or rubber-based floor insulation can also be installed at this time.

The materials can be placed between the layers of flooring thanks to the sound barrier established during construction. Between the floors are joists that support a plywood base and then more sub-flooring. Adding insulation here allows you to utilize heavier materials that may improve soundproofing.

Noise reduction is possible even if your house is already built. If you're replacing a carpet or other sort of flooring or need to repair the flooring in a given space, now is the right time to do it. The results of many home improvement projects will be better if some non-visible changes are performed at the same time as obvious ones. One example is the installation of sound insulation to the floor.

After removing the current floor coverings, new floor insulation can be put immediately on top of the sub-flooring. This can be utilized under a variety of floor coverings, including carpet, vinyl, wood, and ceramic tile. It makes no difference what sort of flooring is laid on top. What counts is the sort of soundproofing insulation you apply.

Most effective will be a material that is self-contained, meaning it is as compact as possible while still having excellent noise reduction properties. The loose pink or yellow fluff with a paper backing is fiberglass insulation. It's suitable for use on walls and ceilings. The most long-lasting flooring underlayment is made of rubber or cork insulation. It will also not radically elevate flooring, allowing materials like vinyl to lie down gently.

Why go to such lengths?

Like the creaks and groans in an old body, a house seems to get noisier with age. The more stable the floors are, the less noise they will absorb from the rooms above, but they will also assist quiet down loud floors where screws have come loose or the boards have warped over time.

Think of soundproofing as an investment in your home. As the quality of noise control improves, the value will rise.

Interested in investigating soundproofing in greater detail? Give us a call so we can talk about what's feasible!

​Amazing Foam Insulation

When most people think about foam insulation, they anticipate being warm in the winter and saving money on their heating expenses. But foam insulation can do much more. This is a particularly widespread way of thinking in northern climes where, for a long time, dwellings were not appropriately insulated. According to their thinking, by putting a layer of foam insulation to the outside of their home, they would be able to save a large amount of money on their gas bill.

However, there are some additional benefits to foam insulation that I would like to explore in the remainder of this essay, and that is exactly what I will do in the remainder of this post. When comparing foam insulation to fiberglass insulation, there are a number of advantages to utilizing foam insulation. The fact that it is substantially easier to work with is number one on many people's lists. It has no effect on the irritation of your skin. It is less cumbersome to transport because it does not need to be rolled. It is also lighter than a roll of fiberglass insulation and has the capacity to cover a bigger surface area than a roll of fiberglass insulation. And it accomplishes all of this without diminishing the R value, which is a measure of the effectiveness of the insulation.

For example, foam insulation provides better insulating qualities per inch of thickness than the ordinary fiberglass wrap. As a result, thinner applications of foam insulation can provide you with a comparable, if not higher level of protection from the cold.

During our talk of foam insulation, we've spoken about how it may provide protection from the cold. However, what most people don't realize is that protection from the cold in the winter also gives protection from the heat departing your home throughout the winter. In a same spirit, insulation, regardless of the substance employed, provides protection against heat entering your home in the summer and, if you have air conditioning, against cool departure. In this way, not only will you save money in the winter by remaining warm, but you will also save money by staying cool in the summer by staying cool.

If you are considering installing vinyl siding on your home or planning an expansion, you may want to consider coating the exterior of your home with foam insulation, even if it is only a thin layer of foam insulation. The temperature will be greater when you want it to be, and the temperature will be lower when you don't. It is a simple operation to affix some of this wonder ingredient, which means that it will not be excessively expensive, especially when you consider how much money you will save in the long run.

Are you considering foam insulation for your project? Give us a call to discuss the best choices. We look forward to assisting you!

​Lower Your Energy Costs

Are you overpaying for your heating and electricity?

Heating costs are rising in every part of the country, and the trend is projected to continue due to a number of causes. There is, however, some good news. Weatherization and energy conservation can help to reduce the financial burden of growing energy expenses.

In terms of energy use, your home's plumbing, insulation, and heating systems may all be inefficient. The air filtering from the basement caused by floor joists and the structures supporting the floor is the biggest problematic in many older homes, rather than the cold air coming in via the windows. Heating and cooling account for 50 percent to 70 percent of total energy use in the average American home when it comes to heating and cooling. It's possible that your home was built before 1980 and lacks appropriate insulation. While the majority of homeowners are concerned with attic insulation, the basement ceiling should not be overlooked. Fiberglass is a poor insulator because it allows air to pass through it directly. Spray foam or cellulose insulation materials should be utilized for optimal insulation.

All air-leakage doors and windows should be weather-stripped and caulked. Seal any pipe, ducting, or electrical wire that penetrates via outside walls to keep hot air from escaping. Keep the flue damper closed as tightly as possible when the fireplace is not in use. If you want to replace the windows in your home, consider installing insulating windows. Ensure that they are as snug as possible. Heavy-duty clear plastic sheet can be used to line the inside of your windows, which should be properly sealed to prevent water from leaking in.

Another area where homeowners should focus their efforts in order to reduce their energy expenses is energy conservation. It is advised that an old thermostat be replaced with a new electronic control thermostat with digital readouts. Electronically controlled thermostats are more precise than dial-operated thermostats. A programmable thermostat is even better, as it allows you to configure different temperatures at different times of the day and night. Replacement of air filters should be done on a regular basis. You should bleed your hot water radiator once or twice throughout the winter season if you have one in your home. If you're not sure how to accomplish it, look it up on the Internet or ask for help from a professional.

Look for the Energy Star label on new appliance packaging when making a purchase. Appliances that have earned the Energy Star label have been proven to be energy efficient. The bright yellow and black Energy Guide label may currently be found on the majority of appliances. These labels will tell you how much energy the appliance uses on average. When shopping for an appliance, don't forget to include in the price as additional factor to consider before making a final decision.