Why get assessed for insulation? You can dramatically reduce your energy bills by ensuring that your house is well-insulated from the outdoors. You’re probably thinking, “I already have insulation.” But, did you know that 90% of homes in the U.S. are under-insulated? That could be dramatically driving up your energy bills. In fact, the EPA estimates that you could save up to 20% on your energy bill by upgrading your insulation. There are two top-of-the-line ways to prevent this: blown cellulose insulation and fiberglass insulation. This article will walk you through how those work and the benefits of each.
Blown Cellulose Insulation
What are some of the benefits of cellulose insulation? Loose-fill and dense-pack cellulose insulation are fire retardant, pest retardant, and kid safe because they’re treated with boric acid (which is about as safe as table salt). They are also composed of 75% recycled materials, using newspapers recycled everyday to reduce our carbon footprint. Because it is made from recycled materials, cellulose insulation is better for your health and for the environment. Another positive? Blown cellulose fills in cracks to create a gap-free, seamless barrier that will keep out the cold (and heat).
Also, the R-value of cellulose insulation is much higher than other types of insulation. You’re probably asking, what is R-value and why do I care? The R-value measures the resistance of the material, meaning the amount of insulation needed to be most effective, and the higher R-value the better. Because blown cellulose has a high R-Value per inch, the cellulose insulation reduces air infiltration better than other kinds of insulation.
What’s the financial side like? Pretty cheap. While cellulose is an investment, it can save you up to 25% more than other kinds of insulation and is comparable in price. Plus, many homeowners in Massachusetts are able to qualify for 75% off the sticker price when they get a No-Cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment with us first!
Fiberglass Insulation
Fiberglass insulation is only used in places that cellulose can’t be used because it can be potentially harmful if inhaled. That’s why we have qualified professionals to install it. We also use it primarily in attics, away from people where it can be most effective and isolated.
Targeted Air Sealing
Looking for another unbelievable deal? Through our Mass Save Partnership, you can qualify to receive a 100% instant-rebate on targeted air sealing! That means that if during your home energy assessment the assessor finds any drafty areas in your home, you can have them sealed at no-cost to you!
Targeted air sealing includes weatherstrippings around doors and windows, and foam insulation to seal cracks in the attic. Why is this important? Leaking air can make up 30% of your heating and cooling costs. And I’m sure you’re wondering what the actual value of this work is? Targeted air sealing has a $1,200 value, but you can get it for no cost when you work with our Mass Save division.
Our Deals
All of our estimates are free and flexible according to materials and scheduling. Additionally, as a Mass Save partner all air sealing jobs receive a 100% instant rebate and we’ll handle all the paperwork. On top of that deal, you can receive 75% off your insulation if you do a home assessment with us.
We recommend blown in cellulose to our customers for many reasons, including the aforementioned safety for kids and being both fire and pest retardant. Another service we offer is fiberglass insulation for knee walls, equipment damming, and other situations where cellulose does not work.
Other Insulation Services We Offer
In terms of the assessments we provide, we do infrared testing to see possible gaps where outside air can infiltrate your home. We also use blower door tests to help determine a home’s airtightness.
There are numerous reasons to have these assessments done. First, it reduces energy consumption due to air leakage. It also prevents moisture condensation problems and uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air leaking in from the outdoors.
Other sources
http://solar365.com/green-homes/insulation/cellulose-insulation-pros-cons
http://information.insulationinstitute.org/blog/whats-the-roi-of-attic-insulation