Sencon

Insulation

Insulation is different from air sealing, but the two go hand-in-hand in that having one without the other may not significantly improve your homes energy efficiency or your comfort level. Having sufficient insulation with a leaky home or having a very tight home with little insulation will readily allow temperatures to fluctuate as air inside more easily exchanges with air outdoors. This, in turn, will require excessive amounts of energy to maintain a warm home in the winter and a cool home in the summer. There are many different forms of insulation available on the market today. When properly installed, they all can deliver increased comfort levels and reduced energy bills. Insulation performance is measured by its ability to resist heat flow (R-value). Different total R-values are recommended for attics, basements, crawl spaces and walls. These recommendations also vary with geographic location. The efficiency of insulation is increased if air flow through and around the material is minimized, so it is important to perform air sealing prior to installing additional insulation.

During a home performance test, also known as an energy audit, your home is visually inspected for adequate insulation. Additionally, an infrared scanner is used to identify hot and cold spots existing in the envelope or shell of your home. Where insulation is found to be lacking, it is crucial to correct the problem as soon as possible in order to minimize the effects outdoor temperatures can have on the inside of your home.

To learn more about how insulating your home can improve its energy efficiency and reduce the cost of utility bills, or to request a quote on insulating your home, call SENCON at (757) 498-0100 or fill out our online form.