How to Measure the R-value of Attic Insulation [VIDEO]

Here is a video from REenergizeCO in Denver, Colorado.  They talk about measuring R-value in insulation and the correct amount needed in an attic of a residential home.  Nearly 50% of homes in the US do not have an adequate amount of insulation in their attic and suffer with higher utility bills.  This video shows you how to detect if your home has enough attic insulation.
 

Using Blown-In Insulation

If you need to create warmth inside your attic, save big by blowing inside insulation warmth oneself. The good qualities cost $1, 500 in order to $2, 000 to complete the 1, 200-sq. -ft. household. You can apply that oneself for approximately $500. Spitting out attic warmth isn’t tough, nevertheless it’s messy, exhausted operate. To create that less complicated, get the tool in addition to reserve a couple days: just one with regard to attic preparation plus the minute to truly knock back your warmth. From the stop on the weekend break you’re going to possibly be uncomfortable in addition to worn out. But keeping $1, 000 or higher may make up for your tender back.

This long-term benefit is outstanding as well. You can observe your efforts bills drop by approximately 15 in order to 25 % based on your weather in addition to active amounts of warmth. And you will in addition be entitled to the tax credit ratings about the expense of your warmth.

To demonstrate you tips on how to get the job done right, most of us questioned your skilled to express their methods for creating the project proceed effortlessly in addition to enable you to prevent the top several attic-insulation mistakes.

Seal leaks

Yank back the existing warmth in addition to utilize increasing bottle of spray froth in order to close any kind of breaks all-around plumbing water lines, ceiling perforations in addition to slots where by electric powered wire connections snake by means of. “Make confident in order to close all the way up about the water pipe, ” says Olson. Pertaining to breaks 1/4 inside. as well as a smaller amount, utilize caulk rather than increasing froth.

Add ventilation

Yank the existing warmth from your roof. Placement the newest in-take chute therefore the bottom part expands 6 inside. to the overhang in addition to staple that in location. Olson recommends using a contract stapler instead of the retracted stapler. “It’s additional precise in addition to there’s a smaller amount chance you’ll crumple your chute. ”

“In 95 pct on the households most of us work with, your in-take chutes usually are missing out on as well as aren’t correctly set up, ” says Olson. With out these, you’re not having the almost all through your insulation’s R-value since oxygen would need to move correctly on the eaves to eliminate wetness within the wintertime in addition to temperature within the summer time.

To ensure active chutes aren’t impeded, stand within a darker attic to see whether light on the eaves is selection throughout the vents. Exchange any kind of chutes which might be impeded, ruined as well as missing out on. You’ll uncover equally plastic-type material in addition to froth in-take chutes in the home facilities. Olson advises employing froth chutes. “They’re additional strict in addition to there’s a smaller amount prospects for these having crumpled as well as squeezed any time you’re putting in these.” Yank back the existing warmth to help you to observe out there to the border on the eaves, in addition to purchase a in-take chute in each and every rafter room.

Insulate access ways

Cover your attic hatch that has a cushion regarding fiberglass warmth. “You want a pleasant, big puffy cushion regarding warmth to avoid any kind of oxygen water leaks, ” says Olson. Slice a couple levels regarding R-19 fiberglass batt insulation slightly larger than your hatch in addition to staple duct recording to the hatch sides in order to safe that set up.

To hold your warmth by decreasing throughout the attic hatch launching, complete a 2x12 dam about the hatch border. “Then, to actually close your attic entry way up snug, ” says Olson, “lay fiberglass batt warmth on the inside of your hatch as well as door in addition to put that way up snug being a Holiday present." You'll be able to insulate your hatch door even though you’re into the attic as well as go the entrance way out there in addition to do it additional easily with a tarp outdoors.

Mark reference points

Compare well on the drywall in order to tag your sought after warmth level. Start using a long term gun in order to tag the particular level each and every number of trusses and that means you know you've even insurance about the entire room.

When you're blowing warmth, it could find messy in addition to tough to see whether you have got that serious ample about the entire attic. Mark the desired level about diverse roof trusses about the attic when you star.

INSULATING YOUR HOME WITH A PREMIUM EXTERIOR PAINT JOB

Save energy costs and insulate the outside of your home with meticulous practices. Insulate the outside of your home with a NASA-inspired insulating paint product.

• Techniques to Save Energy Costs While Painting Your Home

Windows and doors and clothes dryer vents are where most conditioned air escapes and unwanted exterior air sneaks in, costing the homeowner money in his or her energy bills. A quality exterior painter knows this, and will seal gaps not just for aesthetics but to save you money.

First and foremost: siliconized caulk. Gaps around windows and doors need to be caulked before they are painted. Make sure the surface is clean and free of dust and grease, then apply a bead of caulk and smooth it with your finger so it fills the gap. This will help make the doors and windows airtight. This can save you up to $100 per year.

Secondly, when painting window sashes and their glazing it is a good idea to leave a line of paint over the glazing and on the glass that is roughly 1/10th of an inch wide – this well help create an airtight barrier on the glass pane and the glazing, preventing any drafts from entering the home.

Also, make sure to repair or replace rotted wood trim and siding. If not, moisture and air can find its way inside and adversely affect your energy bills, while compromising the structural integrity of your home.

Remember:

The exterior paint on your home is the skin that protects its structural elements from the weather, so a high-quality, professional paint job is important to your home’s longevity.

  • Insulating Paint inspired by NASA: The Next Big Thing?

Insulating paint, or radiant barrier paint, is a relatively new product that is still under scrutiny. This type of paint essentially uses traditional paint with an additive that’s main purpose is to reduce the build-up of heat, thereby insulating the building from the outside. A similar type of coating is already used today on piping and ductwork.

Tips on Attic Insulation

Adequate insulation and air sealing of your attic will help lower energy bills for homeowners. Attics are the most cost effective place in the home to insulate. Insulating an attic will immediately raise the comfort level of your home and reduce energy consumption. Attic insulation helps keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

No matter what type of insulation you currently have in your attic, the quickest way to determine if you need more is to use a tape measure. Start by surveying your attic, if the insulation level is level with or below your floor joists you'll need to add more insulation. If you cannot see the floor joists and can stand on them while the insulation reaches past your knees the insulation levels are most likely sufficient. Insulation should be evenly distributed with now parts of the ceiling showing. Sometimes contractors will move insulation to make improvements and repairs, if they don't replace the insulation when they are finished your insulation will become ineffective.

Why You Should Enclose Your Home's Crawl Space

Most homes have either a crawl space or a basement. Crawlspaces have several advantages to basements. Crawlspaces elevate the home above the ground and are much less expensive than a basement. Crawlspaces also make space for duct work and plumbing to run and are easily accessible for contractors. Crawlspaces are great however, without taking proper precautions they can breed mold and mildew and allow moisture to compromise the structure of your home. Insulating a crawl space is in your best interest for many reasons. Here I have outlined the top reasons to insulate and seal your home's crawlspace.

Installing Plastic Window Insulation

Not all home improvement projects will break the bank. Insulation Denver CO home owners will tell you, is important to the comfort of your home. Window insulation is easy, very cheap and effective. Window insulation film is carried in most hardware stores and fits almost any window. This product is a heat-shrink film that is stretched over the interior side on a window frame to block drafts.

If you decide to insulate your windows using plastic film, you'll need to choose which window to use this method on carefully. The windows you seal using this method cannot be opened after the film is applied. If you only have one window in your kitchen, you should not insulate it with film in case it needs to be opened due to a small kitchen fire, or burnt food. Also, if you don't plan on removing the Denver insulation after winter, it is important to keep windows on opposite sides of your home uninsulated so that you can open them to enable a cross breeze during nice weather.

After deciding on which windows you'll insulate, you need to gather supplies. For this project you need a window film kit (or more if you wish to insulate multiple windows), tape measure, scissors and a blow dryer.

Step One: Prepare the Window
Clean the window frame with soapy water and then wipe it dry. Allow for additional drying time, if needed. After the window has dried enough, apply the adhesive tape included in the window insulation kit.

Insulating Tips for a Shed

ByDoItYourself Staff

Insulating a shed may seem silly at first but your shed has many uses and adding insulation can further increase its usefulness. In essence, the shed on your property is an extension of your home. For many people it is used as seasonal storage and for others it can become a home away from home. Sheds are often used as workshops from wood working to motorcycle maintenance. Some are being converted to small recreational spots where couches, chairs, televisions and small appliances are being placed and used. The following article will help provide you with some useful hints and tips on how you could insulate your shed.

Siding and Air

One type of insulation is commonly known as an air barrier. These are sheets of treated plastic commonly found on the outside of a new home. This does not mean you cannot use it on your shed. The air barrier material helps keep air outside where it belongs and this keeps the internal temperatures at bay. The air barrier is wrapped around the shed and tacked in place. On top of the air barrier you would then place some sort of siding. The kind you use on the shed is irrelevant and can be plastic, wood or aluminum. The combination of the two keeps drafts out of the shed to create a more stable internal climate.

Using the Pink Stuff

Fiberglass is the most commonly used insulation material you can find. You install it in the inside of the building between the studs. You then have to cover the fiberglass with more wall material. Fiberglass is a good vapor barrier and will protect against humidity which can cause your wood in the shed to warp and potentially rot.

Want a Warm House? Don’t Just Insulate.

Air seal! The most boring word and concept that can make all the difference in energy saving and comfort. Granted, I once said rising damp was the least interesting but important building science term, I think we can make a case for air sealing. Why is it important (and possibly more important) than just adding more insulation?

What Folks Think the Problem Is

When a house is cold and uncomfortable, the first thought is adding more insulation. This is a compelling thought for a few reasons. First, it’s a problem most homeowners can solve in a weekend. Assuming we’re talking about an open attic, a trip to the local big box for some rolls of fiberglass or a blower machine is all the solution needed.

Second, it’s a known and understood problem. The average homeowner may not have a clue about installing a fuse box or replacing the wax ring on a toilet but we all (we think) understand that more insulation = warmer.

This thinking causes a common issue: a fluffy pink fiberglass band-aid over a gaping wound that allowing heat to stream out. Folks pile on the insulation but haven’t air sealed. I’ll say this as clear as I can: Do not add more air permeable insulation until you air seal.

What The Problem Actually Is

The building enclosure has several control layers: the thermal layer (insulation), air and vapor controls. If there are paths for air to escape, your walls and ceiling are only doing a part of the job.

Home Insulation Tips to Save You Money

High heating bills are something all of us have become accustom to. As the prices of heating gases and oil go up, homeowners pay more and more to keep their homes comfortable. Some of the price increases can be offset by increasing home insulation. Most homeowners can save 25% or more on home heating costs by making a few home improvements!

Older homes typically need a denver insulation upgrade much more frequently than newer builds. It is a mistake, though to assume that your newer home is as well-insulated as possible. Many homes built after 1980 have inferior insulation ratings because building codes are not up-to-date with DOE recommendations. Also, occasionally home-builders do try to save money on little things like insulation to lower build costs.

 

The following are simple and inexpensive steps you can take to lower your heating costs this winter:

Top 8 Ways to Save Energy At Home

Upgrading your home to a more energy efficient living space is not only beneficial to yourself by saving money, but it also helps the environment as well. Looking at your high cost heating and electricity bills may motivate you to start a change within your house.

Remodeling requires some spending of your own money, but it is definitely well worth it for you and the planet. Here are ten ways you can save energy at home.

1. Insulation – The easiest and cheapest way to save energy is to insulate your house better. The roof is where most heat escapes, so this should be your main focus. The outside of your home can be insulated correctly by using caulk to seal cracks between sheathing, doors, and windows. Do the same inside by filling in gaps around windows, doors, ducts, floors, etc.

2. Ventilation – Make sure your rooms are well ventilated to regulate temperature. Check to make sure your windows and ceiling fans work properly to help draw heat out.

3. Tankless Water Heaters – Replace your bulky water heater with a smaller tankless one that requires less room and will use less electricity.

4. Upgrade Appliances – Energy Star appliances are approved to be energy efficient and can save you money every month on your electricity bill.

5. Placement Of Windows – If you are able to remodel and change your location of windows, choose the sun-facing side of the house so that you can take advantage of the free energy. Skylights are also a great way to let in natural light and save money on your heating/electricity bill.

6. Roofing – Choosing light colored shingles will provide you with the optimal energy savings. Dark colors absorb heat, so the light shingles will help keep your house cool during the summer time.

7. Fireplaces - Using a fireplace to generate heat within your house is a great way to stay warm without using any electricity.

Attic Insulation Mistakes to Avoid

Adding insulation to your home can save you a significant amount of money; however, if the project isn't done correctly, you may end up wasting a whole lot of time. Understanding the installation process and what to avoid, you'll be one step ahead when you begin your project.

Prepare for your project by making sure you have the correct tools for the job. Make sure that you have a ladder of the correct height, sufficient lighting, and a clear workplace. Don't rely on your extraordinary balance skills, lay boards across joists so you can have a stable, safe place to work.

Choose the correct type of attic insulation Denver requires for your project. There are several forms of insulation you can choose from and picking the correct form is vital to the efficiency of your project. Depending on the design and use of your attic space, loose fill may or may not be the best option. Don't choose loose fill insulation if you have a attic fan. Without proper containment the insulation will spread unevenly and will loose its effectiveness.

Measure once and then measure again. Even Denver insulation companies don't estimate when they look at a workspace. Guessing how much insulation you need to complete a project is a common shortcut that will often leave you with a lack of material costing you time and money. Use a tape measure to get the correct dimensions of your attic and purchase the correct amount of insulation.

Insulating An Unfinished Attic

 Insulating a home's attic is one of the most important insulation projects you can do for your home. Once you have determined you're region's R-value requirements, measure your existing insulation (if present) and subtract that from the required amount. You can add new insulation to your existing insulation and do not need to match insulation types to do so.

To begin your insulation project, first set up a safe working area across the joists. Never step between the joists, or you risk falling through. Measure the thickness of the existing insulation at various places throughout the attic and average those numbers. Multiply the average by the R-value per inch of insulation.

Batt and Blanket Insulation

When installing insulation on a uninsulated attic, make sure to use an insulation with a vapor-retardant face. Place the facing down (toward the ceiling). In humid climates or in attics that have been previously insulated use unfaced fiberglass. Denver insulation companies suggest using the insulation with a vapor-retardant face. When laying batt or blanket insulation, start at the perimeter and work toward the attic door. Place the insulation between joists and cut the length. Cut the insulation by placing the batt on a piece of plywood and laying a straight edge across it to serve as a guide. Push the insulation down and slice through the batt with multiple strokes of a sharp knife using the straight edge as a guide. For higher R-values you can lay the insulation across the joints.

DIY Methods to Save on Utilities

If your utility bill is out of control, you need to consider ways to tame the beast. There are plenty of do it yourself [DIY] ways to save on utilities.

DIY Methods to Save on Utilities

Utility costs for heating, cooling and electricity are near record highs. Worse, they are expected to rise fairly dramatically over the next few years. Since you will live in a residence for the rest of your life, making small changes to save money on utilities will save you tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. Here are some areas to check out and fix to start saving some bucks.

Leaks and drafts from the interior of your home to the exterior can easily double your utility bill. There are a couple of obvious areas to check out such as windows, frames around doors, fireplaces and entrances to attics. Less obvious spots to check include gaps around electric outlets, mail slots, pipes, spaces around baseboards and gaps around air conditioners where the interface with the exterior. If you find gaps, caulking can often take care of the problem or you can pursue a weekend DIY repair.

Insulation in a home can be a real problem when it comes to utilities. Since I hope to avoid getting sued, let me just suggest builders tend to use the minimum amount and grade of insulation required by regulations when building homes. If you live in a tract home, this may be all the more true.