Insulation

Twin Cities Insulation Contractor

A poorly insulated home can cost homeowners hundreds of dollars a year. Making the decision to insulate your home’s walls and attic can save you up to 20% or more on your heating bills. Homeowners can also take advantage of energy rebates offered by their utility company such as Xcel Energy rebates and CenterPoint Energy rebates. The savings on the utility bills when combined with the energy rebates will help lessen the cost of blown in insulation or other insulation.

Most homeowners are unsure of what level of insulation they have in their home. The experts at Minnesota Exteriors perform a thorough inspection of a home’s existing insulation and attic space in order to help determine the best plan for their specific situation. The level of insulation is indicated by what is called the R-Value. In Minnesota the recommended blown in attic insulation R-Value is R49 or higher.

When choosing the right insulation for your home there are a number of products to consider. Blown cellulose insulation is also a good option when you are considering insulating your home. The blown cellulose insulation cost is usually less than spray foam insulation and similar to fiberglass blown in insulation. Blown cellulose insulation is a product made from things like newspaper, sawdust and cardboard. Blown cellulose insulation is a good choice for homeowners who have environmental concerns. Blown cellulose insulation is made from up to 85% recycled newspaper.

Some homeowners choose to use fiberglass blown in insulation for their home. Fiberglass blown in insulation won’t absorb moisture and doesn’t support mold growth. You can also be confident that your fiberglass blown in insulation will not settle over time so you get the same benefit from your insulation for the life of your home.

In addition to blown in attic insulation, air sealing is also very important when reducing energy loss in your home. When you look to make your home more energy-efficient you should combine a product like cellulose plus air sealing or fiberglass insulation plus air sealing. It is important to seal air leaks before you have your new insulation installed. Common areas for air leaks include the space around chimneys, bath and exhaust fans, recessed lights, dropped ceilings and attic access hatches.

Spray foam insulation is also a very popular option for homeowners. In most cases the spray foam insulation cost is somewhat higher than other types of blown in insulation products. However, it is considered by many to be the best insulation choice for homeowners and there are many benefits to spray foam insulation that homeowners should keep in mind. Spray foam insulation can be used in both attics and walls. The right spray foam insulation can also reduce noise which is helpful for those who live near airports, railroad tracks and high-traffic roadways. Spray foam insulation also provides a seamless air barrier in your home. Homeowners need not be concerned about their insulation shrinking or settling over time.

If you are unsure if your home requires additional insulation you should contact the blown in insulation and spray foam insulation experts at Minnesota Exteriors. They will perform an attic to basement inspection of your home and point out areas where you are losing energy. This may include insulating your attic, adding wall insulation, replacing old and drafty windows or simple changes you can make to save energy like installing an energy-efficient thermostat. Once your home has been made more energy-efficient you will not only notice a positive change in your energy costs but your level of comfort in your home will increase too.